The basic steps to file for your child

You file for your child's Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) by contacting Social Security directly — either by phone, in person at a local office, or online. The process starts with you (the parent or guardian) providing information about your child's medical condition, work history if your child is a teenager, and your own Social Security record, since your child's benefit is based on your earnings history.

Social Security will ask you to submit medical evidence — doctor's reports, test results, hospital records, anything that documents your child's condition and how it limits what they can do. This is the part that takes the longest. You don't need to gather everything before you call; Social Security can request records directly from doctors and hospitals, but the faster you provide them, the faster a decision comes.

There is no fee to file, and you don't need a lawyer to start. Many families do hire a disability representative later in the process, especially if Social Security denies the first claim, but that's optional and happens after you've already filed.

Key Takeaways

  • You file through Social Security by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local Social Security office, or creating an account at ssa.gov to file online.
  • Social Security will need medical records showing your child's condition and its effects on daily life or school — you can provide these yourself or let Social Security request them from doctors.
  • Your child's benefit amount is based on your Social Security earnings record, not on how severe the disability is or how much money your family has.
  • The decision typically takes three to six months, though cases involving children sometimes take longer because Social Security reviews them more carefully.
  • If Social Security denies the claim, you have 60 days to request reconsideration, and most families who appeal eventually receive benefits.

What Social Security needs from you at the start

When you contact Social Security, have your own Social Security number ready, your child's Social Security number (or birth certificate if your child doesn't have one yet), and your child's birth certificate. You'll also need to know your work history — the years you worked and the jobs you held — because Social Security calculates your child's benefit based on your record.

For your child's medical information, start with a list of doctors, hospitals, and clinics your child has seen. You don't need to have all the records in hand when you call; Social Security can request them. But if you already have recent reports from your child's pediatrician, specialist, or school evaluations, having those ready speeds things up. School records are especially useful because they show how the disability affects your child's learning and ability to function with peers.

If your child is 15 or older and has ever worked, bring information about that work — dates, employer names, and how much was earned. Social Security needs this to determine whether your child meets the rules for continuing benefits as a teenager.

The three ways to file

By phone: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Tell them you want to file for your child's disability benefits. They'll ask questions about your child's condition, your work history, and your family situation. The call usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. After you hang up, Social Security will mail you a form to sign and return.

In person: Visit your local Social Security office. You can find the address and hours at ssa.gov/locator or by calling the main number above. Bring your child if possible — Social Security may want to see them, though they won't perform a medical exam. Bring your documents: your ID, your child's birth certificate, and any medical records you have. In-person appointments often move faster than phone calls, and you can ask questions face-to-face.

Online: Create an account at ssa.gov, then start an process for your child's benefits. You can save your progress and come back to it. This route works well if you're comfortable filling out forms online and have your documents ready. You'll still need to mail or upload medical records and sign documents, but you avoid waiting on the phone.

What happens after you file

After you submit your process, Social Security sends you a notice saying they received it and gives you a case number. Keep that number — use it whenever you call or write to Social Security about your child's claim. Social Security then requests medical records from the doctors and hospitals you listed. This can take several weeks.

Once Social Security has the records, they send your child's case to a disability examiner who reviews everything. The examiner looks at whether your child's condition meets Social Security's definition of disability for children: a medical condition that causes marked and severe functional limitations and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The examiner may ask for more information or updated medical records.

You'll receive a decision letter in the mail. If approved, the letter says when benefits start and how much your child will receive each month. If denied, the letter explains why and tells you how to request reconsideration within 60 days. Most families who are denied the first time succeed on reconsideration or appeal, so a denial is not the end of the process.

Medical evidence: what Social Security looks for

Social Security doesn't need a specific diagnosis. They need to see how your child's condition limits what your child can do — physically, mentally, or both. A doctor's letter saying "this child has autism" is not enough. Social Security needs to see how autism affects your child's ability to learn, follow directions, interact with others, or manage daily tasks.

The strongest evidence comes from your child's regular doctors — pediatrician, neurologist, psychiatrist, or other specialists who have examined your child multiple times and know the history. Social Security also values school records, psychological evaluations, and reports from therapists. If your child receives special education services, those records are particularly useful because they document how the disability affects school performance.

If your child hasn't been seen by a doctor recently, schedule an appointment before or right after you file. Social Security may order a consultative exam — a one-time appointment with a doctor they choose — but this usually happens only if the records you provide are incomplete or outdated. You don't pay for a consultative exam; Social Security does.

How much your child will receive

Your child's monthly benefit is based on your Social Security earnings record — specifically, on how much you earned during your working years and how much you would receive if you claimed retirement or disability benefits yourself. The amount does not depend on how severe your child's disability is, how much money your family has, or whether your child is in school or working part-time.

Social Security calculates a percentage of your benefit amount and pays that to your child. The exact percentage varies, but it's typically around 50 percent of your full benefit amount. If you have multiple children receiving benefits on your record, the total paid to all children is capped at a family maximum, usually 150 to 180 percent of your benefit amount.

Your child's benefit continues until age 19 if your child is in high school full-time, or until age 18 if your child is not in school. After that, your child can continue receiving benefits as an adult disabled beneficiary if the disability continues and your child is not working above the substantial gainful activity level (currently around $1,550 per month, though this amount changes yearly).

What happens if Social Security says no

If your process is denied, you have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request reconsideration. This means Social Security will review your case again with a different examiner. You can submit new medical evidence, updated records, or a written statement explaining why you disagree with the decision.

Many denials are overturned on reconsideration, especially if you provide additional medical evidence or clarify how your child's condition affects daily functioning. If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. At a hearing, you can present your case in person or by phone, bring witnesses (often your child's doctor), and ask questions. A lawyer or representative can help at this stage, and they only get paid if you win.

The hearing process takes longer — usually several months — but families who reach a hearing have a good chance of approval. Social Security's own data shows that judges approve a higher percentage of cases than examiners do at the initial and reconsideration stages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for my child if I'm not receiving Social Security benefits myself?

Yes. Your child can receive benefits based on your earnings record even if you're not currently receiving benefits. Social Security will review your work history to calculate what you would be may have access to to, then base your child's benefit on that amount. You don't have to claim your own benefits for your child to receive them.

What if my child is already seeing a therapist or has an IEP at school — do I need to tell Social Security?

Yes. Tell Social Security about any treatment, therapy, or special services your child receives. These are evidence that your child's condition is serious enough to require professional help. Bring copies of your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan if your child has one — these documents show exactly how the disability affects school performance and what accommodations your child needs.

How long does it take to get a decision?

Initial decisions usually take three to six months, though cases involving children sometimes take longer because Social Security reviews them more carefully. If you request reconsideration, add another two to three months. If you go to a hearing, add several more months. You can call Social Security using your case number to check on progress, but there's no way to speed up the process.

Will my child's benefits affect my own Social Security?

No. Your child's benefits are separate from yours. If you're receiving retirement or disability benefits, your child's benefits don't reduce what you get. If you're not yet receiving benefits, filing for your child doesn't commit you to claiming your own benefits at any particular time.

What if my child starts working or goes to college?

If your child is under 19 and in high school, working part-time doesn't affect benefits. If your child turns 19 or leaves high school, benefits stop unless your child is still disabled. If your child goes to college, benefits continue only if your child is still disabled and not working above the substantial gainful activity level. College attendance itself doesn't stop benefits, but earning too much money does.