The monthly payment amount depends on your state and household income

The federal payment for a child on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is $943 per month in 2024. However, most states add their own money on top of the federal amount, so the total varies by where you live. Some states add as little as $1 per month; others add $70 or more. Your child's actual payment also depends on how much money your household earns and owns — the more income and resources your family has, the less your child receives.

SSI is a needs-based program, which means it looks at your family's financial situation, not just your child's disability. If your household income is high enough, your child may receive a reduced payment or no payment at all, even though they meet the medical requirements. The Social Security Administration (SSA) counts most types of family income: wages, self-employment, rental income, and benefits from other programs. Some income is excluded — for example, the first $65 per month of your child's own earnings, plus half of anything above that.

The payment amount also changes if your child receives other benefits. If your child gets Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) based on a parent's work record, that payment reduces the SSI amount dollar-for-dollar. If your child receives workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, or a pension, SSI is reduced by the amount of that benefit.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal SSI payment for a child in 2024 is $943 per month, but your state may add additional money, making the total between $943 and roughly $1,015 depending on where you live.
  • Your household's income and resources directly reduce the payment amount — the more your family earns, the less your child receives.
  • If your child receives SSDI, workers' compensation, or other government benefits, those payments reduce the SSI amount.
  • The payment amount adjusts each January based on the cost-of-living increase, so the dollar figures change annually.

How household income affects the payment

SSA counts your household income to determine how much SSI your child receives. The first $2,409 of your household's monthly income is excluded (in 2024); anything above that reduces your child's SSI payment by one dollar for every dollar earned. This means if your household earns $3,000 per month, SSA counts $591 of that income ($3,000 minus $2,409), and your child's payment is reduced by $591.

The income limit includes wages from all family members who live in the household, not just the child. It also includes Social Security benefits, pensions, rental income, and interest. However, some income does not count: food and shelter you provide to your child, the first $20 of any income per month, and certain types of support from nonprofits or educational institutions.

Your child's own income is treated differently. The first $65 per month of your child's earnings is excluded, plus half of anything above that. So if your child earns $200 per month, SSA counts only $67.50 of that income ($200 minus $65, then half of the remaining $135).

How resources (savings and assets) affect the payment

SSA also looks at what your family owns — called resources — to decide if your child remains on SSI. The resource limit for a child is $2,000. This includes cash, savings accounts, stocks, bonds, and vehicles. Your home and one vehicle are not counted. If your family's resources exceed $2,000, your child loses SSI entirely until the resources drop back below the limit.

Resources are different from income. A lump-sum payment — such as an inheritance, a lawsuit settlement, or a tax refund — counts as a resource, not income. If you receive $5,000 as a gift or inheritance, that $5,000 is added to your family's total resources. If your resources then exceed $2,000, your child's SSI stops when ready.

Some assets do not count toward the resource limit. Your home, one vehicle, household goods, and personal effects are excluded. Certain savings accounts set up for your child's future — called ABLE accounts — allow you to save up to $17,000 per year without affecting SSI, though the total in the account cannot exceed $100,000 without triggering a payment reduction.

When the payment changes

The federal SSI payment amount increases each January if there has been a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). In recent years, the increase has ranged from 0% to 8.7%, depending on inflation. SSA announces the new amount in October, and the higher payment begins in January. Your state's supplemental payment may also increase, though the timing and amount vary by state.

Your child's individual payment can also change if your household income or resources change, if your child receives a new benefit, or if your child's living situation changes. For example, if a parent loses a job, household income drops, and your child's SSI payment increases. If your child moves into a group home or institutional setting, the payment may be reduced or eliminated. You must report changes to SSA within 10 days of when they happen.

How SSI differs from SSDI for children

SSDI based on a parent's work record is not needs-based — it does not depend on your household income or resources. A child on SSDI receives a fixed percentage of the parent's benefit (usually 50%), and that amount does not change based on family finances. In 2024, the average SSDI payment for a child is around $1,000 per month, but the actual amount depends entirely on the parent's earnings record.

If your child receives both SSI and SSDI, SSA pays the SSDI first, then reduces the SSI payment by the SSDI amount. For example, if your child's SSDI is $600 per month and the federal SSI payment is $943, your child receives $600 from SSDI and $343 from SSI, for a total of $943. This is called the "deemed income" rule.

Some children receive only SSDI, some receive only SSI, and some receive both. Which program your child qualifies for depends on whether a parent is disabled, retired, or deceased, and whether your household meets the income and resource limits for SSI.

What happens when your child turns 18

When your child turns 18, SSA stops counting your household income and resources toward their SSI payment. Instead, SSA counts only your child's own income and resources. This is called the "age 18 redetermination." Your child's payment may increase significantly because your family's income no longer affects it.

At age 18, your child is also treated as an adult for SSI purposes. If your child has a representative payee (usually a parent), that person continues to manage the money, but SSA may ask your child to confirm they want the payee to continue. Your child can also request a new payee or manage the money themselves if they are able.

At age 19, if your child is a full-time student, SSA may continue to count your household income for a limited time. This student exception ends when your child turns 19 or stops being a full-time student, whichever comes first. After that, only your child's own income and resources matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child work and still receive the full SSI payment?

Yes, if your child's earnings are low enough. The first $65 per month of your child's earnings is not counted, and half of anything above that is not counted. So your child can earn up to about $195 per month and still receive the full federal SSI payment. Earnings above that reduce the payment dollar-for-dollar.

What if I receive a one-time payment like a tax refund or inheritance?

One-time payments count as resources, not income. If the payment pushes your family's total resources above $2,000, your child's SSI stops until resources drop back below $2,000. You can avoid this by spending the money on allowed expenses or setting aside funds in an ABLE account, which has its own resource limit.

Does my child's SSI payment stop if they go to the hospital or residential treatment?

No. SSI continues if your child is in a hospital, psychiatric facility, or residential treatment center. However, if your child is in an institution funded by Medicaid (such as a group home or nursing facility), the payment is reduced to $30 per month. The payment resumes at the full amount if your child leaves the institution.

How often does SSA review my child's case?

SSA reviews SSI cases periodically to confirm your child still meets the medical and financial requirements. The frequency depends on whether your child's condition is expected to improve. Some cases are reviewed every one to three years; others are reviewed less often. SSA will send you a notice before the review and tell you what information to provide.

What if my household income increases — does my child lose SSI when ready?

No. SSA counts income in the month it is received. If your household income increases in one month, your child's payment is reduced starting the following month. You must report the income change to SSA within 10 days. If you do not report it and your child receives an overpayment, SSA may ask you to repay the difference.