What you need to do to explore for Child SSDI

To explore for Child SSDI, you contact Social Security directly and submit medical evidence that your child has a condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Social Security will ask for your child's birth certificate, Social Security number, school records, and detailed medical records from doctors or hospitals who have treated your child. You can explore in person at your local Social Security office, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or online at ssa.gov. The process typically takes three to six months from the day you submit your process to the day Social Security makes a decision.

Your child does not have to be born yet to start the process—you can explore for an unborn child in the ninth month of pregnancy. If your child is already receiving benefits under a parent's Social Security account (as a dependent), you can ask Social Security to switch those benefits to Child SSDI if your child's own medical condition meets the rules.

Key Takeaways

  • You explore through Social Security directly by phone, online, or in person, and you will need your child's birth certificate, Social Security number, and medical records from every doctor or hospital that has treated your child.
  • Social Security decides whether your child's condition is severe enough based on medical evidence alone—there is no income or resource limit for Child SSDI, so your family's finances do not matter.
  • The decision process takes three to six months on average, but you can call Social Security to check the status of your process after 30 days.
  • If Social Security denies your process, you have 60 days to file a written request for reconsideration, which sends your case to a different Social Security examiner.
  • Once approved, your child receives a monthly payment and Medicare coverage after two years on the program.

What medical records you need to gather before you explore

Social Security bases its decision entirely on medical evidence, so the strength of your process depends on how complete your medical documentation is. You need records from every doctor, hospital, clinic, or mental health provider who has seen your child. This includes pediatricians, specialists (such as neurologists, cardiologists, or psychiatrists), emergency room visits, hospital stays, therapy sessions, and school-based evaluations if your child receives special education services.

For each provider, request the full medical record, not just a summary. Ask specifically for test results, imaging reports (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans), lab work, diagnoses, treatment plans, and notes from each visit. If your child is in school and receives an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan, request copies of those documents and any recent evaluations from the school psychologist or special education team. If your child sees a therapist or counselor, request those records as well.

You do not need to wait until you have every single record before you explore—Social Security can request records directly from providers if you give permission. However, the more complete your initial process is, the faster Social Security can make a decision. Plan to spend two to four weeks gathering records, depending on how many providers your child has seen.

How to submit your process to Social Security

You have three ways to explore: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online process is available 24 hours a day and lets you save your progress and return later. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. If you go in person, you can find your local office on the Social Security website by entering your ZIP code.

When you explore, Social Security will ask for your child's name, date of birth, and Social Security number. You will also provide your own name, address, and phone number. Social Security will ask when your child's condition began and what doctors or hospitals have treated your child. At this point, you do not need to have all the medical records in hand—you can list the providers and give Social Security permission to request the records directly.

After you submit your process, Social Security will send you a notice with an process number. Keep this number and use it if you call to check on your case. Social Security will also tell you what additional information or records they need. If they ask for something specific, respond within the important date they give you—usually 10 days—or your process may be delayed or denied.

What happens after you submit your process

Once Social Security receives your process, a claims examiner is assigned to your case. The examiner reviews all the medical evidence and decides whether your child's condition meets Social Security's definition of disability. Social Security does not look at your family's income or savings—only at whether your child's medical condition is severe enough.

Social Security may request additional medical evidence from your child's doctors. If your child has not seen a doctor recently, Social Security may ask you to take your child to a doctor for an examination that Social Security will pay for. This is called a consultative examination. You are not required to attend, but Social Security may deny your process if you do not cooperate.

You can call Social Security after 30 days to ask whether they have received all the medical records. The claims examiner does not typically speak to applicants directly, but the representative who answers the phone can tell you what stage your case is in and what records are still missing.

Understanding Social Security's disability rules for children

Social Security uses three different sets of rules to decide whether a child qualifies for SSDI. The first rule applies to children under age 18: the condition must be as severe as an adult's condition that would may have access to for SSDI, or it must be on Social Security's list of conditions that automatically may have access to children. The second rule applies to teenagers age 15 to 18: Social Security also looks at whether the teenager can do work-related activities, such as following instructions, getting along with others, or managing their behavior.

The third rule applies to children age 18 and older: they are evaluated using the same adult disability rules as anyone else explore for SSDI. At age 18, your child's case is reviewed again, and Social Security may decide that your child no longer qualifies under the adult rules even if they may have access to as a child.

Social Security publishes a list of conditions that automatically may have access to children—called the Compassionate Allowances list—which includes conditions like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and severe autism. If your child's condition is on this list and the medical evidence supports it, Social Security may approve your process faster. You can view the full list on the Social Security website.

What to do if Social Security denies your process

If Social Security denies your process, you will receive a written notice explaining the reason. The notice will tell you that you have 60 days to file a written request for reconsideration. This means your case goes to a different Social Security examiner who reviews all the evidence again, plus any new medical evidence you want to submit.

To request reconsideration, write a letter to your local Social Security office and include your process number, your child's name and Social Security number, and a statement that you want reconsideration. You can also ask Social Security for a form called SSA-561-U2 to make the request official. Include any new medical records or information that you did not have when you first applied. Mail your request to the address on your denial notice.

If Social Security denies your reconsideration request, you can file an appeal with an Administrative Law Judge. This requires a written request within 60 days of the reconsideration denial. At this stage, many families hire a disability representative or attorney who works on contingency—meaning they are paid only if you win. Social Security sets a cap on what representatives can charge, currently 25 percent of back pay, up to $6,000.

What happens after your child is approved

Once Social Security approves your process, your child will receive a monthly payment. The amount depends on your child's parent's Social Security earnings record—not on your family's current income or needs. Social Security will send you a notice with the payment amount and the date the first payment arrives. Payments are typically deposited directly into a bank account.

Your child also becomes covered by Medicare after two years on SSDI. This means your child has health insurance that covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and other medical services. You do not have to do anything to get Medicare—Social Security enrolls your child automatically after 24 months of receiving SSDI payments.

Every year, Social Security sends you a letter asking you to report any changes in your child's condition, living situation, or work activity. You must report these changes, or your child's benefits may be stopped. If your child's condition improves significantly, Social Security may decide your child no longer qualifies and will stop the payments. However, Social Security typically continues benefits during a trial work period to give your child a chance to test whether they can work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for Child SSDI if my child has never been to a doctor?

You can submit an process, but Social Security will likely ask you to take your child to a doctor for an evaluation before making a decision. Social Security bases its decision on medical evidence, so without any medical records, your process will be delayed. If you cannot afford a doctor visit, tell Social Security—they may pay for a consultative examination.

Does my family's income affect whether my child gets Child SSDI?

No. Child SSDI has no income or resource limits. Your family's income, savings, or home ownership does not affect your child's chances of being approved or the amount your child receives. The payment amount is based only on your child's parent's Social Security earnings record.

What if my child's condition improves after I explore?

You must report any improvement to Social Security. However, improvement does not automatically mean your child loses benefits. Social Security looks at whether your child can do age-appropriate activities and work-related tasks. If your child still cannot do these things, benefits may continue even if the condition has improved.

How long does it take to hear back from Social Security?

The average time is three to six months, but it can be faster if your child's condition is on the Compassionate Allowances list or if your medical records are complete and clear. It can take longer if Social Security needs to request additional records from your child's doctors or if they ask for a consultative examination.

Can I work while my child receives SSDI?

Yes. Your work does not affect your child's SSDI benefits. Your child's benefits are based on your child's own disability and your child's parent's Social Security record, not on your current employment or income.