Your child may receive benefits based on your SSDI record without you explore separately

If you receive SSDI, your child can receive benefits on your record once you have been receiving SSDI for at least six months. You do not file a separate SSDI claim for your child. Instead, you report the child to Social Security, and they determine whether the child meets the rules for child's benefits. The child must be unmarried and under age 19 (or under 19 if still in high school full-time, or any age if disabled before turning 22).

Social Security will contact you with next steps once you report the child. The process typically takes two to three months from the time you report until a decision is made. During that time, Social Security may ask for documents about the child's birth, school enrollment, or medical records if the child is disabled.

Key Takeaways

  • Your child can receive benefits on your SSDI record if you have been receiving SSDI for at least six months and the child is unmarried and under age 19 (or under 22 if disabled before that age).
  • You report your child to Social Security by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office; you do not file a separate process.
  • Social Security will request documents such as the child's birth certificate, proof of school enrollment, or medical records depending on the child's age and circumstances.
  • The decision process takes roughly two to three months, and Social Security will notify you by mail of the outcome and the child's benefit amount if approved.
  • Your child's benefit amount is typically 50 percent of your full SSDI benefit, but the family maximum may reduce this amount if other family members also receive benefits on your record.

When to report your child to Social Security

You can report your child at any time after you have been receiving SSDI for six months. There is no important date, but reporting sooner means the child can begin receiving benefits sooner. If your child was born after you started receiving SSDI, report the child within a few months of birth so benefits can start as early as possible.

If your child is already 18 or older, you can still report them if they became disabled before age 22. Social Security will review medical records to determine whether the disability began before that age. Report the child as soon as you realize they meet the rules, because benefits cannot be paid for months before you report them.

How to report your child to Social Security

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and tell them you want to report a child for benefits on your SSDI record. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Have your Social Security number and the child's date of birth ready when you call.

Social Security will ask you basic questions: the child's full name, date of birth, whether the child is in school, and whether the child has any disabilities. They will tell you what documents to bring or mail in. You do not need to gather everything before you call—Social Security will tell you exactly what they need.

Documents Social Security will request

The documents you need depend on the child's age and situation. For all children, Social Security needs proof of the child's relationship to you. This is usually the child's birth certificate. If the child was born outside the United States, bring the original birth certificate and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.

If the child is under 19 and in school, Social Security needs proof of school enrollment. A school letter or report card showing current enrollment is usually enough. If the child is 18 or older, or if the child is not in school, Social Security needs proof of the child's age and identity—a state ID, passport, or school ID works.

If the child is disabled or you are reporting a child age 18 or older, Social Security will ask for medical records. Gather records from doctors, hospitals, or therapists who have treated the child. If the child has not seen a doctor recently, Social Security may schedule a medical exam at no cost to you.

What happens after you report your child

Social Security will send you a notice in the mail confirming they received your report. They will tell you what documents they need and give you a important date to send them in—usually 10 to 14 days. If you cannot meet the important date, call Social Security and ask for more time.

Once Social Security has all the documents, they will review the child's case. This review takes two to three months. You will receive a notice in the mail stating whether the child has been approved or denied. If approved, the notice will show the child's benefit amount and the date benefits begin. If denied, the notice will explain why and tell you how to request reconsideration.

If the child is approved, Social Security will set up a payment account. For children under 18, benefits are usually paid to a parent or guardian. For children 18 and older, benefits are paid directly to the child unless the child is unable to manage money, in which case Social Security may appoint a representative payee.

How the family maximum affects your child's benefit

Your child's benefit is normally 50 percent of your full SSDI benefit amount. However, Social Security has a rule called the family maximum. The family maximum is the total amount that can be paid to all family members on your record in any one month. The maximum is usually 150 to 180 percent of your benefit amount, depending on your case.

If other family members also receive benefits on your record—such as a spouse or other children—the total paid to everyone cannot exceed the family maximum. If it would, Social Security reduces each person's benefit proportionally. For example, if you receive $1,500 per month and your family maximum is $2,250, and you have two children, each child might receive $375 instead of $750.

Social Security will explain the family maximum in the approval notice. If you have questions about how it affects your child's payment, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to speak with a representative who can walk through the numbers with you.

What changes require you to report to Social Security

After your child's benefits begin, you must report certain changes to Social Security. If the child turns 19 and is no longer in high school, benefits will stop unless the child is disabled. If the child gets married, benefits stop when ready. If the child leaves the United States for more than 30 days, report it before the child leaves.

If the child is disabled and receiving benefits past age 19, Social Security will periodically review the child's medical condition. They will send you a notice asking for updated medical records. Respond to these reviews promptly, because failure to do so can result in benefits being stopped.

If your own SSDI benefits stop for any reason, your child's benefits will also stop. If you return to work and your benefits are suspended (but not terminated), your child's benefits may continue depending on your earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child receive benefits if I am on SSI instead of SSDI?

No. Child's benefits are only available on SSDI records. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your child cannot receive benefits based on your record. Your child would need to file their own SSI claim if they meet SSI rules for disability, blindness, or age.

What if my child's other parent also receives SSDI?

Your child can receive benefits on either parent's record, but not both. Social Security will usually pay based on whichever parent's benefit is higher. If you and the other parent are divorced or separated, report your child on your record, and Social Security will handle coordination with the other parent's record.

Does my child's benefit count as income for other programs?

Yes. Child's SSDI benefits count as income for means-tested programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and housing information. Report the benefit amount to those programs when you recertify. Some programs have rules that exclude a portion of SSDI income, so ask each program how they count it.

What if Social Security denies my child's claim?

You can request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial notice. Social Security will review the case again, usually with a different examiner. If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. You have the right to represent yourself or hire a lawyer to help.

Can my child work while receiving benefits?

Yes, but earnings above a certain amount will reduce or stop the benefit. In 2024, a child can earn up to $1,550 per month without losing benefits (the amount changes yearly). Earnings above that reduce benefits by $1 for every $2 earned. Report your child's work to Social Security so they can calculate the correct benefit amount.