The Basic Steps to File for Your Child

You file for your child's SSDI by submitting an process to Social Security, either online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The process itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes, but Social Security will then ask for medical records, school records, and other documents to prove your child meets their definition of disability. The whole process from process to a decision usually takes three to six months, though it can take longer if Social Security needs to order additional medical evidence.

You do not need a lawyer to file, but you will need to gather documents before you start. Social Security requires proof of your child's identity (birth certificate), proof of your relationship to your child, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical evidence of the condition. If your child has been seeing doctors or specialists, those records are what Social Security will use to decide whether your child's condition is severe enough to may have access to.

The process asks detailed questions about your child's daily activities, schooling, medical treatment, and how the condition affects them. Be specific and honest about what your child cannot do, not just what they can do. Social Security is looking for evidence that the condition prevents your child from doing age-appropriate activities or learning in school.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start the process online at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office; online is usually fastest.
  • Social Security will request medical records from your child's doctors and schools, so gather those documents before you explore.
  • The decision process takes three to six months on average, and you will receive a written notice explaining whether your child was approved or denied.
  • If your child is denied, you have the right to ask Social Security to reconsider, and you can file an appeal within 60 days of the denial notice.
  • Once approved, your child receives a monthly payment, and you become the representative payee who manages the money until your child turns 18.

What Documents You Need Before You explore

Gather these documents before you start the process: your child's birth certificate, your own Social Security number and proof of identity, proof of your child's citizenship or legal residency status, and medical records from any doctor, hospital, or specialist who has treated your child. If your child attends school and receives special education services, bring copies of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) or any evaluation reports the school has done.

Medical records are the most important. Social Security uses them to decide whether your child's condition meets their strict definition of disability. If your child has seen multiple doctors, request records from all of them. You can ask your child's doctor's office to send records directly to Social Security, or you can gather them yourself and submit them with the process. Do not wait for perfect records—submit what you have and tell Social Security where additional records can be found.

If your child receives therapy, counseling, or psychiatric care, those records matter too. Social Security wants to see not just a diagnosis, but evidence of how the condition affects your child's functioning in daily life, school, and social situations. Bring school report cards, teacher comments, and any documentation of behavioral or learning problems.

How Social Security Decides If Your Child Qualifies

Social Security uses a three-step test for children. First, your child must have a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Second, the condition must be severe enough that it causes marked and severe functional limitations. Third, the condition must prevent your child from doing age-appropriate activities or learning in school at a level expected for their age.

The second and third steps are where most applications succeed or fail. "Marked and severe functional limitations" means your child has significant problems in at least two areas of life: physical functioning, mental functioning, sensory ability, communication, or the ability to get along with others. For example, a child with autism might have severe limitations in social interaction and communication. A child with cerebral palsy might have severe limitations in movement and self-care.

Social Security does not require your child to be unable to do anything—only that the limitations are serious enough to prevent normal childhood activities or school performance. A child who can walk but has severe pain with walking, or who can attend school but cannot focus in class due to ADHD, may still may have access to. The medical records and school records are what prove this to Social Security.

The Timeline From process to Decision

After you submit the process, Social Security sends you a notice with a case number and tells you what documents they need. You typically have 10 days to send in additional records, though you can ask for more time. Social Security will contact your child's doctors and schools directly to request records if you give permission on the process.

Once Social Security has the medical and school records, a disability examiner reviews the file. This usually takes four to eight weeks. If the examiner needs more information—for example, a more recent medical evaluation or clarification from a doctor—they will contact you or your child's doctor. You may be asked to have your child examined by a doctor Social Security chooses and pays for, called a consultative examination.

After the examiner completes the review, Social Security sends you a written decision. If approved, the notice tells you the monthly payment amount and when payments begin. If denied, the notice explains the reason and tells you how to appeal. You have 60 days from the date on the denial notice to file an appeal.

What Happens If Your Child Is Denied

If Social Security denies the process, you have the right to appeal. The first step is called reconsideration, which means a different examiner reviews the case from the beginning. You can submit new medical records or additional information with the reconsideration request. Many families gather more recent medical evidence or updated school records and resubmit.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is a more formal process where you can present evidence and answer questions about your child's condition. You do not have to have a lawyer, but many families find it helpful to have one at the hearing stage. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can ask about legal aid organizations in your area.

Do not give up after a denial. Many children are approved on appeal who were denied initially. The key is submitting new or more detailed medical evidence that clearly shows how the condition affects your child's functioning.

Representative Payee Responsibilities and Your Child's Benefits

If your child is approved, you become the representative payee, which means you manage the monthly SSDI payment on your child's behalf. The payment is sent to you, and you are responsible for using it for your child's food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and other needs. You must keep records of how the money is spent and report to Social Security once a year about how you used the benefits.

The monthly payment amount depends on your family's earnings history. Social Security calculates it based on your work record, not your child's. The average payment for a child in 2024 ranges widely depending on the parent's earnings, but you will see the exact amount in the approval notice. The payment continues until your child turns 18, at which point your child can continue to receive SSDI as an adult if the disability continues.

Once your child turns 18, Social Security will do a new review to decide whether your child still qualifies as an adult. The rules are different for adults than for children, so some children who may have access to as children do not may have access to as adults. Social Security will notify you before the review happens.

When to Consider Hiring a Representative

You can file the process yourself without paying anyone. However, if your process is denied and you decide to appeal, some families hire a lawyer or a non-lawyer representative called a "representative payee advocate" to help present the case. These representatives are paid only if you win the appeal, and the fee is set by Social Security (usually 25 percent of the back pay owed to you).

A representative can be helpful if the case is complex—for example, if your child has multiple conditions, if the medical evidence is unclear, or if Social Security seems to have misunderstood your child's limitations. A representative knows how to present evidence in a way Social Security understands and can attend the hearing with you.

If you cannot afford a representative, legal aid organizations in your area may offer free help. You can find legal aid by searching "legal aid [your state]" or calling 211 for referrals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for my child if I am not the biological parent?

Yes. Grandparents, adoptive parents, and legal guardians can file for a child's SSDI. You will need to prove your legal relationship to the child—a birth certificate, adoption papers, or guardianship order. Social Security will verify your relationship before approving benefits.

What if my child's condition got worse after I applied?

Tell Social Security when ready. If you have not yet received a decision, submit updated medical records showing the worsening. If you have already been denied, new medical evidence is a strong reason to file an appeal. The more recent the records, the better.

Do I have to stop working or reduce my income for my child to may have access to?

No. Your work status and income do not affect your child's SSDI. The payment amount is based on your work record, but whether your child qualifies depends only on the medical condition and functional limitations. You can work full-time and your child can still be approved.

What if my child is in private school or homeschooled?

Social Security still needs school records or documentation of your child's learning and development. If your child is homeschooled, gather any evaluations, test scores, or records you have. If your child is in private school, request records from the school. If you have no formal school records, ask your child's doctor to document how the condition affects learning and development.

Can my child work and still receive SSDI?

Yes, but there are limits. Children under 18 can earn up to a certain amount per month without losing benefits (the limit changes yearly). Once your child turns 18, the rules change and work incentives like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) may allow higher earnings. Social Security will explain the rules when your child's case is reviewed at age 18.