SSA.gov

Benefits for Children

Each month during 2021, we paid an average 

of $2.8 billion in benefits to 4 million children 

whose parents (one or both) were retired, 

deceased, or were disabled. These benefits 

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 benefits help 

stabilize the family’s financial future. 

NOTE: Children with disabilities whose parents 

have little income or resources may be eligible 

for Supplemental Security Income benefits. 

Read our publication, Benefits for Children With 

Disabilities (Publication No. 05-10026). 

Who can get child’s benefits? 

To get benefits, a child must have either: 

• A parent who is retired or has a disability and 

is entitled to Social Security benefits. 

• A parent who died after having worked long 

enough in a job where they paid Social 

Security taxes. 

Your unmarried child can get benefits 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 benefits to a stepchild, grandchild, stepgrandchild, or adopted child. 

What you will need when you apply 

for child’s benefits 

When you apply for benefits for your child, you’ll 

need the child’s birth certificate 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 benefit involved, other documents 

may be required. For example, if you’re applying 

for survivors benefits for the child, you’ll need 

to provide proof of the parent’s death. If you’re 

applying for benefits 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. 

Benefits can continue at age 18 

Benefits 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 benefits will end when your child turns 18. 

Benefits 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 benefits continue. 

They must complete a statement of attendance 

certified by a school official. The benefits will 

usually continue until your child graduates 

or until two months after they reach age 19, 

whichever comes first. 

If your child has a disability

Childhood disability benefits 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 benefits because you have 

a child in your care, the date your benefits stop 

may be different than your child’s. 

If the child does not have a disability, your 

benefits will stop when they turn 16. 

If the child has a qualifying disability, your 

benefits can continue if you exercise parental 

control and responsibility for your child. Your 

benefits 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 benefits 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 benefits. 

If a child receives survivors benefits, they 

can get up to 75% of the deceased parent’s 

basic Social Security benefit. 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 

benefit computation. It can be from 150% to 

180% of the parent’s full benefit amount. If the 

total amount payable to all family members 

exceeds this limit, we reduce each person’s 

benefit proportionately until the total equals the 

maximum allowable amount. We do not reduce 

the parent’s benefit 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 benefits; 

start or complete your request for an original 

or replacement Social Security card; get useful 

information; find 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 

benefits. You can also print a benefit verification 

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