What happens to your children's benefits when you want them to stop
When you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your children may also receive benefits based on your record — typically until age 18, or 19 if they are still in high school full-time. If you want those benefits to end, you contact Social Security directly to request removal. Social Security will not automatically stop the payments; you must ask them to do it.
The reason matters for how the process works. You might want benefits to stop because your child turned 18 or 19 and is no longer may be able to access, because they now have income that disqualifies them, because you want to reduce your household's reported income, or because you are no longer their representative payee. Each situation follows the same basic reporting path but may affect your own benefits differently.
Stopping your children's benefits does not affect your own SSDI payment. Your benefit amount was calculated based on your disability and work history alone. Removing a child from your record is a change to their benefits only.
Key Takeaways
- You must contact Social Security yourself to stop your children's benefits — they will not stop automatically when a child turns 18 or 19.
- Call the SSDI phone line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office in person to request the change.
- Have your Social Security number and your children's Social Security numbers ready when you call or visit.
- If you are the representative payee for your children, stopping their benefits may change how you report income on your own record.
- The change usually takes effect the month after Social Security processes your request, though the exact timing depends on when you report it.
How to contact Social Security to remove a child
You have three ways to report that you want your child's benefits to stop: by phone, in person, or by mail. Phone is usually the fastest.
To call, use the main SSDI number: 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY line at 1-800-325-0778. Call during business hours, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Tell the representative that you want to report a change affecting your child's benefits and that you want those benefits to stop. Have ready your Social Security number, your child's name, and your child's Social Security number.
If you prefer to do this in person, find your local Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator. Walk in during office hours or call ahead to schedule an appointment. Bring your Social Security card and a photo ID, plus your child's Social Security number or card.
You can also mail a written request to your local Social Security office, but this is slower — allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing. Include your name, your Social Security number, your child's name, your child's Social Security number, and a clear statement that you want the child's benefits to stop. Mail it to the office address you find at ssa.gov/locator.
When the change takes effect and what to expect
Once Social Security receives your request, they will process it and send you a notice in the mail. The notice will confirm that your child's benefits are stopping and will tell you the month in which the change takes effect. Usually this is the month after they process your request, but it can take 2 to 4 weeks from the date you report it.
If your child has already received a payment for the month in which benefits stop, Social Security may ask you to return that payment. For example, if you report in March that benefits should stop in April, but your child receives an April payment before the change is processed, you may need to return that April check. Social Security will explain this in the notice they send you.
If you are the representative payee for your child (meaning you manage the benefits on their behalf), stopping the child's benefits also ends your role as payee for that child. You will no longer receive the payments or be required to report how the money was spent.
How this affects your own SSDI benefits
Removing your child from your record does not change your own SSDI payment amount. Your benefit is based on your own disability and work history, not on how many children receive benefits on your record.
However, if you are the representative payee for your child and you have been reporting the child's income on your own record for tax purposes, stopping the child's benefits may change what you report in future years. Talk to a tax professional or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 if you are unsure how this affects your taxes.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to SSDI, removing a child's benefits from your record might affect your SSI amount, because SSI counts household income differently. If you receive both programs, mention this when you call Social Security so they can explain how the change affects your SSI.
What to do if you are no longer the payee
If your child is now an adult or is managing their own benefits, and you are still listed as the representative payee, you should report this change to Social Security at the same time you request that benefits stop. Tell the representative that you want to end your role as payee.
If your child is an adult and wants to manage their own benefits instead of having you do it, they can contact Social Security themselves to request a new payee or to manage the account directly. They will need to provide proof of identity and may need to appear in person at a Social Security office.
If your child is still a minor but you are no longer their legal guardian, contact Social Security right away. A new payee (such as a foster parent or other guardian) will need to be named, and benefits should not continue under your management.
If your child's benefits should have already stopped
If your child turned 18 or 19 and you did not report it, their benefits may still be paying out. Contact Social Security as soon as you realize this and report the age change. Explain that the child is no longer may be able to access.
Social Security may ask you to return any overpayments — money paid after the child was no longer may be able to access. If you cannot return the full amount at once, you can ask Social Security about a repayment plan. Do not ignore notices about overpayment; responding quickly can reduce the amount you owe.
If your child now has work income that disqualifies them from benefits, report this as well. Earned income above a certain amount can reduce or stop benefits. Social Security will recalculate based on the income you report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will stopping my child's benefits affect my own SSDI payment?
No. Your SSDI amount is based on your own disability and work record. Removing a child from your record does not change what you receive. However, if you also receive SSI, the change might affect that amount because SSI counts household income differently.
What if my child is 18 but still in high school?
Benefits can continue until the end of the month in which your child turns 19, as long as they are in high school full-time. Once they graduate, turn 19, or stop attending full-time, report this to Social Security so benefits can stop. If your child is still in school after turning 19, benefits will end anyway.
Can my child request their own benefits to stop?
If your child is 18 or older and is not under a court order making you their representative payee, they can contact Social Security themselves to request that benefits stop. If you are the payee and they want to stop, they can ask Social Security to change the payee or to manage the account directly.
How long does it take for benefits to actually stop after I report it?
Usually 2 to 4 weeks from the date you report the change. The benefits will stop in the month Social Security tells you in their notice. If your child receives a payment after the stop date, you may need to return it.
What if I made a mistake and want to restart my child's benefits?
Contact Social Security right away and explain the situation. Restarting benefits is possible in some cases, but there may be a waiting period or a new process process depending on why they were stopped and how long ago. Call 1-800-772-1213 to discuss your specific situation.