SSA.gov
Benets for Children
Each month during 2021, we paid an average
of $2.8 billion in benets to 4 million children
whose parents (one or both) were retired,
deceased, or were disabled. These benets
provide necessities for eligible family members
and help make it possible for those children to
complete school. When a parent develops a
disability or dies, Social Security benets help
stabilize the family’s nancial future.
NOTE: Children with disabilities whose parents
have little income or resources may be eligible
for Supplemental Security Income benets.
Read our publication, Benets for Children With
Disabilities (Publication No. 05-10026).
Who can get child’s benets?
To get benets, a child must have either:
• A parent who is retired or has a disability and
is entitled to Social Security benets.
• A parent who died after having worked long
enough in a job where they paid Social
Security taxes.
Your unmarried child can get benets if they
are:
• Younger than age 18.
• Between ages 18 and 19 and a full-time
student at an elementary or secondary
school (grade 12 or below).
• Age 18 or older with a disability that began
before age 22.
Under certain circumstances, we can also
pay benets to a stepchild, grandchild, step-
grandchild, or adopted child.
What you will need when you apply
for child’s benets
When you apply for benets for your child, you’ll
need the child’s birth certicate or other proof of
birth or adoption. You’ll also need the parent’s
and child’s Social Security numbers. Depending
on the type of benet involved, other documents
may be required. For example, if you’re applying
for survivors benets for the child, you’ll need
to provide proof of the parent’s death. If you’re
applying for benets for a child with a disability,
you’ll need to provide medical evidence to
prove the child’s disability. The Social Security
representative helping with your application will
tell you what other documents you may need.
Benets can continue at age 18
Benets stop when your child reaches age 18
unless that child is a student or has a disability.
If your child is a student
Three months before your child’s 18th birthday,
we’ll send a notice to you letting you know
that benets will end when your child turns 18.
Benets don’t end if your child is a full-time
student at an elementary or secondary school
(grade 12 or below). If your child is younger
than age 19 and still attending an elementary
or secondary school, it is important to follow the
instructions in the notice so benets continue.
They must complete a statement of attendance
certied by a school ofcial. The benets will
usually continue until your child graduates
or until two months after they reach age 19,
whichever comes rst.
If your child has a disability
Childhood disability benets are payable beyond
age 18 if the disability began before age 22.
(over)
Benefits for Children
If you take care of a child
If you are receiving benets because you have
a child in your care, the date your benets stop
may be different than your child’s.
If the child does not have a disability, your
benets will stop when they turn 16.
If the child has a qualifying disability, your
benets can continue if you exercise parental
control and responsibility for your child. Your
benets can also continue if you perform
personal services for a child who has a physical
disability. Before the child reaches age 16, we
will send you a notice describing the conditions
under which your benets can continue.
How much can a family get?
Within a family, a child can receive up to half of
the parent’s full retirement or disability benets.
If a child receives survivors benets, they
can get up to 75% of the deceased parent’s
basic Social Security benet. There is a limit,
however, to the amount of money we can pay
to a family. The maximum family payment is
determined as part of every Social Security
benet computation. It can be from 150% to
180% of the parent’s full benet amount. If the
total amount payable to all family members
exceeds this limit, we reduce each person’s
benet proportionately until the total equals the
maximum allowable amount. We do not reduce
the parent’s benet amount because it’s not part
of the maximum allowable amount.
Contacting Us
The most convenient way to do business with
us is to visit www.ssa.gov to get information
and use our online services. There are several
things you can do online: apply for benets;
start or complete your request for an original
or replacement Social Security card; get useful
information; nd publications; and get answers
to frequently asked questions.
When you open a personal my Social Security
account, you have more capabilities. You can
review your Social Security Statement, verify
your earnings, and get estimates of future
benets. You can also print a benet verication
letter, change your direct deposit information,
request a replacement Medicare card, and get a
replacement SSA-1099/1042S. Access to your
personal my Social Security account may be
limited for users outside the United States.
If you don’t have access to the internet, we
offer many automated services by telephone,
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you do not
need to speak with a representative.
If you need to speak with someone, call us
toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY
number, 1-800-325-0778, if you’re deaf or
hard of hearing. A member of our staff can
answer your call from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday
through Friday. We provide free interpreter
services upon request. For quicker access to
a representative, try calling early in the day
(between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time) or
later in the day. We are less busy later in the
week (Wednesday to Friday) and later in the
month.
Social Security Administration
Publication No. 05-10085
June 2022 (Recycle prior editions)
Benefits for Children
Produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense
