Your children get a percentage of your benefit amount, not a separate payment
When you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your children may also receive monthly payments based on your benefit. The amount they get is a percentage of what you receive — typically 50% per child, though the exact amount depends on how many children you have and your family's total benefit.
Social Security calls this a family benefit. The key thing to understand is that your children's payments come from the same total pool of money that your benefit comes from. If you receive $1,200 per month, Social Security doesn't add extra money for your kids — instead, it divides your benefit among you and your may be able to access children.
Your children must meet certain conditions to receive payments. They need to be under 19 (or under 23 if they're in high school full-time), and they must be your biological child, stepchild, or adopted child. Adult children who were disabled before age 22 may continue to receive payments for life.
Key Takeaways
- Each of your children typically receives 50% of your SSDI benefit amount, but this percentage shrinks if you have multiple children because the total family benefit has a cap.
- The family maximum — the total amount Social Security will pay to you and all your children combined — is usually 150% to 180% of your own benefit, depending on your situation.
- Your children's payments stop when they turn 19, or age 23 if they remain in high school full-time, unless they became disabled before turning 22.
- You must report changes to Social Security, such as a child leaving school, getting married, or earning too much money, or their payments may continue incorrectly.
How the family maximum reduces what each child receives
Social Security sets a family maximum on the total amount your household can receive. This maximum is usually between 150% and 180% of your own monthly benefit amount. If your benefit is $1,200, the family maximum might be $1,800 to $2,160 per month for your entire family.
When you have multiple children, Social Security divides the remaining money after your benefit among them. If your benefit is $1,200 and the family maximum is $1,800, only $600 is left to split among your children. If you have two children, each gets $300 instead of the standard 50% ($600). If you have four children, each gets $150.
The exact family maximum depends on your age, your work history, and the year you became disabled. Social Security calculates it individually for each person. You can find your family maximum on your Social Security statement, or you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask.
When your children stop receiving payments
Your children's SSDI payments end on specific dates based on their age and school status. A child who is not in school stops receiving payments the month after they turn 19. A child in high school full-time can continue receiving payments until the month after they turn 23, as long as they remain enrolled.
If your child becomes disabled before turning 22, they may continue to receive payments for the rest of their life, even after they turn 19 or finish school. Social Security will conduct a medical review to determine whether the disability continues. This is called a disabled adult child benefit.
Payments also stop if your child gets married, with one exception: a child who is already receiving a disabled adult child benefit can stay married and keep receiving payments. For all other children, marriage ends the benefit when ready.
What you must report to Social Security about your children
You are responsible for telling Social Security about changes in your children's lives that affect their payments. The most common changes are: a child turns 19 or finishes high school, a child gets married, a child starts earning significant income, or a child moves out of your home.
You must report these changes within 30 days. You can report them by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local Social Security office, or using your online my Social Security account at ssa.gov. If you do not report a change, your child may continue to receive payments they are no longer may have access to to, and Social Security may ask you to repay the overpayment later.
If your child is working, Social Security has rules about how much they can earn without losing benefits. For 2024, a child can earn up to $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if they are blind) without losing any benefits. Earnings above that amount reduce the benefit by $1 for every $2 earned. These amounts change each year.
How to find out your children's exact benefit amounts
Social Security does not automatically send you a statement showing what each child will receive. Instead, you can request a benefit verification letter that lists the amount for each family member. You can request this letter through your my Social Security account, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local office.
When you first become approved for SSDI, Social Security will send you a notice explaining your benefit and your family maximum. This notice will show how much you receive and how much each child is may have access to to receive. Keep this notice, because you will need it to verify your children's benefits to schools, health insurance companies, or other organizations.
If you want to understand how your specific family maximum was calculated, or if you think the amount your children are receiving is wrong, you can ask Social Security for an explanation. They can walk you through the calculation and show you which factors affected the amount.
What happens if you work and earn income
Your own work and earnings do not directly reduce your children's payments. However, if you earn above a certain amount, Social Security may reduce or suspend your own benefit, which indirectly affects the family maximum and how much money is available to divide among your children.
For 2024, if you are under full retirement age, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400 per year. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. These amounts change each year, and Social Security will tell you the current limits when you report your earnings.
If your benefit is reduced because of your earnings, the family maximum is also reduced proportionally. This means your children's payments may go down even though they themselves have not earned any income. This is one reason it is important to report your work status to Social Security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my children get their own separate SSDI process, or do they automatically get benefits?
Your children do not automatically receive benefits. You must contact Social Security and request that they be added to your case. Bring their birth certificates, Social Security numbers, and proof of school enrollment (if they are school-age) to your local Social Security office, or call 1-800-772-1213 to start the process. Social Security will then determine their benefit amount based on your family maximum.
What if my child is adopted or a stepchild?
Adopted children and stepchildren can receive benefits on your SSDI record. For adopted children, you must have legally adopted them. For stepchildren, you must have been married to their other parent before they turned 19. If you are no longer married to that parent, the stepchild may still receive benefits if the marriage lasted at least nine months.
Can my child work part-time and still receive their full benefit?
Yes, if their earnings stay below the limit. For 2024, a child can earn up to $1,550 per month without losing any benefit. If they earn more, the benefit is reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above that amount. Once they turn 19 and are no longer in school, or turn 23 if they are in school, their benefit stops regardless of earnings.
What if I think Social Security made a mistake in calculating my family maximum?
You can request a detailed explanation of how your family maximum was calculated. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. If you disagree with the calculation, you have the right to file an appeal. Social Security will review the decision and send you a written explanation of the outcome.
Do my children's benefits count as income for other programs like food stamps or Medicaid?
Yes, in most cases. Your children's SSDI benefits are counted as unearned income when determining their own may be able to access for other information programs. However, some programs have special rules or disregards for SSDI income. Contact your state's food information or Medicaid office to ask how your children's benefits affect their may be able to access.