Many people who receive benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) may not realize that their children could also qualify for monthly payments. This opportunity applies whether the adult is receiving retirement benefits, disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, or the child is a dependent of a deceased beneficiary. The SSA has specific rules that allow certain children to receive financial assistance, providing extra support for families.
Social Security distributes three main types of benefits each month: retirement, disability, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Retirement benefits are based on the Social Security taxes a worker has paid over their lifetime. SSDI benefits are designed for individuals who have a serious medical condition preventing them from engaging in substantial work. SSI benefits, on the other hand, are provided to individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of their work history. Each of these benefit programs can potentially extend to the children of eligible recipients.
For a child to qualify for Social Security benefits through a parent’s eligibility, certain criteria must be met. The child must be under 18 years old, or under 19 if they are still enrolled full-time in high school. Children who have a disability that began before age 22 may also be eligible. Payments are not permanent; in most cases, they end when the child turns 18. If the child remains in high school after that age, payments can continue until graduation or until two months after turning 19, whichever comes first. There is also a provision for grandparents who are financially responsible for their grandchildren due to the absence of the parents. In such cases, those grandchildren may qualify for benefits as well.
The amount a child can receive is typically equal to half of the parent’s full retirement benefit. The full retirement benefit is calculated based on the age at which the parent reaches full retirement, which usually falls between 66 and 67, depending on their year of birth. When there is more than one eligible child, the total benefits paid to all children are subject to a family maximum limit, generally ranging from 150% to 188% of the parent’s full benefit amount. If the total exceeds that limit, each child’s payment is proportionally reduced. Importantly, these payments to children do not reduce the amount the parent receives for their own benefit.
If a parent who has enough work history dies, Social Security may also pay survivor benefits to their minor children. In such cases, each eligible child may receive up to 75% of the parent’s benefit amount. This is calculated based on what the parent was receiving or would have received at full retirement age, even if they had not yet claimed benefits at the time of death. For parents who die before reaching retirement age, the SSA calculates the amount they would have been entitled to, and the child’s survivor benefit is based on that figure. The eligibility age limits remain the same as for living beneficiaries, and children with disabilities that began before age 22 remain eligible beyond the standard age cutoff.
For more details and to confirm eligibility, it is recommended to contact the SSA directly. They can be reached toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or via TTY at 1-800-325-0778 for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, and interpreter services are available at no cost for those who need them. Calling early in the morning, later in the afternoon, or midweek often results in shorter wait times. The SSA can provide precise information tailored to each family’s situation, ensuring that eligible children receive the financial assistance they are entitled to.
