What your child receives each month

The amount your child receives depends on your work history and earnings record, not on your child's condition or how severe their disability is. Social Security calculates a benefit based on what you (or your spouse, if applicable) have earned and paid into Social Security over your lifetime. Your child then receives a percentage of that amount.

In 2024, the average child's benefit is around $900 per month, but this varies widely. Some children receive $200 monthly; others receive $2,000 or more. The only way to know what your child would receive is to contact Social Security directly or check your own Social Security statement, which shows an estimate of what your dependents could receive.

The payment goes to you as the parent or guardian, and you manage it on your child's behalf until they turn 18 (or 19 if still in high school full-time). After that, they receive the payment directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Your child's monthly amount is based on your earnings record, not their disability—the same percentage applies whether the disability is mild or severe.
  • The average child benefit is around $900 per month in 2024, but individual amounts range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on your work history.
  • You receive and manage the money until your child turns 18, then they receive it directly (or at 19 if still in high school).
  • Your own Social Security statement shows an estimate of what your child could receive if you become disabled, retire, or die.
  • If your child also receives SSI (Supplemental Security Income), the SSDI amount may reduce their SSI payment to avoid overpayment.

How Social Security calculates the percentage

Social Security uses a formula called the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). This is the monthly benefit you would receive if you became disabled or reached retirement age. Your child's benefit is typically 50% of your PIA, though it can be as low as 75% of your PIA in some cases depending on family circumstances.

If you are already receiving disability benefits (SSDI) or retirement benefits, Social Security has already calculated your PIA. Your child's amount is 50% of that number. If you have not yet applied for benefits yourself, Social Security will still calculate what your PIA would be in order to determine your child's benefit.

The percentage does not change based on how many children you have, but there is a family maximum. If you have multiple children receiving benefits, the total paid to all family members combined cannot exceed 150% to 180% of your PIA. If the family reaches this cap, each child's individual payment is reduced proportionally.

Family maximum and what it means for your payment

The family maximum is a limit on the total amount Social Security will pay to your entire household. If your PIA is $1,500 per month, the family maximum might be $2,250 to $2,700 (150% to 180% of your PIA, depending on your situation). If you have three children, and each would normally receive $750, the total would be $2,250—which hits the cap. In that case, each child receives less than $750 so the total stays within the limit.

The family maximum applies only when multiple family members are receiving benefits on the same earnings record. If only one child is receiving benefits, the family maximum usually does not affect the payment. If a second child becomes disabled and also receives benefits, or if you retire and begin receiving your own benefit, the maximum kicks in and all payments are recalculated.

Social Security will tell you the family maximum when you first explore. If circumstances change—such as another child becoming disabled—contact Social Security to ask how the family maximum will affect everyone's payments.

Cost of living adjustments (COLA)

Your child's benefit increases once per year in January, based on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). This is a percentage increase that Social Security announces in October for the following year. In recent years, COLA has ranged from 0% to 8.7%, though it varies based on inflation.

You do not need to do anything to receive the increase—it happens automatically. The new amount appears in your child's January payment. If your child turns 18 or 19 and begins receiving the payment directly, they will continue to receive the annual increase for as long as they remain disabled and meet Social Security's other requirements.

What happens when your child turns 18

At age 18, your child's benefit continues at the same monthly amount, but the payment now goes directly to them instead of to you. Social Security may conduct a redetermination at this point to confirm your child still meets the disability requirements. This is a review of their medical condition and is separate from the benefit amount itself.

If your child is still in high school full-time, the benefit continues until they graduate or turn 19, whichever comes first. After that, the benefit stops unless your child remains disabled and meets Social Security's definition of disability for adults (which is the same standard used for children, but the review process may be more thorough).

If your child works, there are limits on how much they can earn before the benefit is reduced or stopped. In 2024, if your child earns more than $1,550 per month (the Substantial Gainful Activity limit), Social Security may determine they are no longer disabled and stop the benefit. This limit changes each year.

SSDI and SSI together

Some children receive both SSDI (based on a parent's work record) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income, a needs-based program). When a child receives both, Social Security counts the SSDI amount first. If the SSDI payment is less than the SSI limit, the child receives both. If the SSDI payment is higher than the SSI limit, the child receives only SSDI and no SSI.

For example, if your child's SSDI is $900 per month and the SSI limit is $943, your child receives $900 SSDI plus $43 SSI. If your child's SSDI is $1,000 and the SSI limit is $943, your child receives only the $1,000 SSDI and no SSI supplement.

This matters because SSI has strict rules about resources and income. If your child receives SSDI, you may have more flexibility with savings and other income without affecting the SSDI payment itself. However, the SSI portion (if any) is still subject to SSI's resource limits.

How to find out your child's specific amount

The fastest way is to create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you log in, you can view your own earnings record and see an estimate of what your dependents could receive. This estimate assumes you become disabled, retire, or die at a certain age.

You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask what your child would receive. Have your Social Security number ready. A representative can give you a specific estimate based on your actual earnings record.

If you have already applied for benefits or your child has already been approved, you can check the payment amount on your Social Security statement, which arrives by mail or through your my Social Security account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child get more money if their disability is more severe?

No. The benefit amount is based entirely on your earnings record, not on the severity of your child's disability. Two children with very different disabilities can receive the same amount if their parents have the same earnings history. The disability must meet Social Security's definition to receive any benefit at all, but once approved, the amount does not change based on how severe the condition is.

What if I have never worked or have very low earnings?

Your child may still receive a benefit, but it will be smaller because it is based on your earnings record. If you have very little work history, your child's benefit might be $100 to $300 per month instead of $900. If you have never worked, your child may not be able to receive benefits on your record at all, though they might be able to receive SSI instead.

Can my child's benefit go down?

The benefit amount itself does not go down due to inflation or time passing. It increases with COLA each January. However, if your family reaches the family maximum (when multiple children or family members are receiving benefits), each person's payment may be reduced. Also, if your child works and earns above the Substantial Gainful Activity limit, the benefit may be suspended or stopped.

What happens to the benefit if I die?

Your child's benefit continues. In fact, if you die, your child may become may be able to access for survivor benefits instead of disability benefits, and the amount might be different. Contact Social Security when ready if you are the parent receiving benefits and your circumstances change significantly.

Do I have to report the benefit as income on my taxes?

SSDI benefits are generally not taxable. However, if you have other income, a small portion of the SSDI might be taxable. You will receive a form SSA-1099 each year showing the amount received. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure whether any portion is taxable in your situation.