The Basic Steps to File for Your Child

You file for your child's SSDI by submitting an process to Social Security, either online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The process asks for your child's medical records, school records, work history (if your child is a teenager), and details about how the disability affects daily functioning. Social Security will request records directly from doctors and hospitals once you submit, so you do not need to gather everything before you start.

The process typically takes three to six months from process to a decision. If Social Security denies your claim, you can request reconsideration within 60 days, which sends your case to a different examiner. If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge, which can take another year or more but is where many families see approval.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start an process online at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office; online is usually fastest.
  • Social Security needs medical evidence showing your child's condition and how it limits functioning in school, self-care, and social situations — not just a diagnosis.
  • The initial decision takes three to six months; if denied, you have 60 days to request reconsideration, then a hearing before a judge if that is also denied.
  • Your child's age affects what Social Security looks for: younger children are judged on developmental milestones and daily functioning, while teenagers are also evaluated on ability to work.
  • Once approved, your child receives a monthly payment and Medicare coverage after two years; you should report changes in school placement, living situation, or medical treatment promptly.

What Medical Evidence Social Security Needs

Social Security does not approve SSDI based on a diagnosis alone. The agency needs detailed records showing how your child's condition limits functioning in three areas: school performance and learning, self-care (eating, dressing, toileting, hygiene), and social interaction with peers. For a younger child, this might mean records from your pediatrician, a developmental pediatrician, or a psychologist showing delays in reaching milestones. For a school-age child, it includes current IEP (Individualized Education Program) reports, special education evaluations, and progress notes from teachers.

If your child sees a specialist — a neurologist for epilepsy, a psychiatrist for mental illness, an orthopedic surgeon for a mobility condition — those records carry more weight than general pediatrician notes. Social Security will request records directly from providers listed on your process, so include the full name, address, and phone number of every doctor, therapist, and hospital your child has seen in the past year. If your child has not been seen by a doctor recently, Social Security may schedule a consultative examination at no cost to you, performed by a doctor they select.

Differences Between explore for a Young Child and a Teenager

For children under 18, Social Security uses the Childhood Disability Evaluation, which focuses on whether your child can function independently in daily life and keep up with peers in school. The agency looks at whether your child needs help with basic self-care, whether they attend regular school or special education, and whether they can play, communicate, and interact with other children. A child with autism might be approved because they cannot manage transitions between activities or communicate needs, even if they have average intelligence.

For teenagers ages 14 to 17, Social Security begins to also consider work capacity. The agency asks whether your teenager could perform part-time work, handle a job schedule, or manage the social demands of a workplace. This does not mean your teenager must have tried to work; Social Security makes a judgment based on medical records and functional limitations. A teenager with severe anxiety might be approved because medical records show they cannot tolerate the stress of a work environment, even if they have never held a job.

What Happens After You Submit Your process

After you submit, Social Security sends you a notice with a claim number and tells you what records they will request. You can check the status of your process online at ssa.gov using your account, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local office. Do not wait passively: if your child's doctor has not received a records request within two weeks, call the doctor's office and ask them to send records to Social Security directly. Delays in medical records are the most common reason applications take longer than necessary.

Social Security will contact you by mail or phone if they need more information — for example, if your child's school records are incomplete or if they need clarification about your child's living situation. Respond to these requests within the important date stated in the notice, usually 10 days. If you miss the important date, Social Security may deny your process for failure to cooperate, even if your child would otherwise be approved.

What to Do If Social Security Denies Your Claim

If Social Security denies your process, you receive a notice explaining the reason. Common denials state that your child's condition does not meet the severity level required, that medical evidence is insufficient, or that your child can still function in school or daily life despite the disability. You have exactly 60 days from the date on the notice to request reconsideration. This sends your case to a different examiner who reviews all the same evidence plus any new records you submit.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge within 60 days of that denial. At a hearing, you can present new medical evidence, have a representative (lawyer or non-lawyer advocate) argue your case, and question the medical informed Social Security brings. Hearings often take six months to a year to schedule, but they are where many families see approval because a judge can weigh the full picture of your child's life, not just check boxes on a form.

Working with a Representative or Advocate

You can represent yourself throughout the SSDI process, but many families work with a lawyer or non-lawyer representative who specializes in disability claims. A representative can help you gather medical evidence, prepare for a hearing, and argue why your child meets the rules. Social Security pays the representative's fee — usually 25% of back pay owed, up to a maximum of $6,000 — only if you win. You pay nothing upfront.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact your state's Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (P&A) agency, which provides free legal help to people with disabilities. You can also reach out to local disability advocacy organizations, which often have lists of representatives who work on SSDI cases. Some representatives work on contingency; others charge a flat fee. Ask about fees before you hire someone.

What Changes You Must Report to Social Security

Once your child is approved and receiving SSDI, you must report certain changes to Social Security within 10 days. These include a change in your child's living situation (moving to a group home, living with a different parent), a change in school placement (moving from special education to regular classes, graduating, or leaving school), a change in medical treatment (starting a new medication, stopping therapy, having surgery), or any work your child does. Failing to report changes can result in overpayment, which Social Security will ask you to repay.

You do not need to report routine doctor visits or minor medication adjustments. You also do not need to report that your child received a gift or that your family's income changed, because SSDI is based on your child's disability, not your family's finances. However, if your child earns money from work — even a small amount — report it when ready, because it may affect the monthly payment amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for my child if they are still in regular school?

Yes. School placement does not determine SSDI approval. Social Security looks at whether your child's disability causes significant functional limitations, regardless of whether they attend regular or special education classes. Many children approved for SSDI attend mainstream schools with support services.

What if my child's doctor says they are not disabled enough?

You can still explore. Social Security makes the disability information, not your child's doctor. If your doctor is reluctant to document limitations, consider asking for a referral to a specialist or a psychologist who can provide a detailed functional assessment. You can also submit records from teachers, therapists, or other providers who work with your child regularly.

How much back pay will my child receive if approved?

Back pay is the amount owed from the month you filed your process to the month Social Security approves it. The monthly payment amount depends on your family's earnings history, not your child's age or condition. Social Security will calculate this when they approve your claim and explain it in the approval notice.

Can my child work while receiving SSDI?

Yes, and Social Security has work incentives designed to help. Your child can earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) without losing benefits, though this amount changes yearly. Beyond that, benefits reduce by $1 for every $2 earned. After nine months of work, your child enters a nine-month trial work period where they keep full benefits regardless of earnings, then a 36-month extended may be able to access period where benefits continue if earnings stay below the limit.

What happens to my child's benefits when they turn 18?

At 18, Social Security reviews your child's case under adult disability rules, which are stricter than childhood rules. Your child must show they cannot work due to disability, not just that they have functional limitations in school or daily life. Many children approved under childhood rules continue to receive benefits as adults, but some lose them. Social Security will notify you of the review and the new decision.