Dependent Benefits for Children of SSDI Recipients

If you're approved for Social Security disability benefits and you have a dependent child, your child might also qualify for benefits based on your earnings record.

Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that provides cash payments to people who meet the Social Security Administration's (SSA's) definition of disabled. To be eligible for SSDI, you must have worked long enough while paying Social Security taxes (FICA or self-employment tax).

Social Security Benefits for Children of Disabled Parents

If you get SSDI, your child might be eligible for dependent benefits, whether the child is yours by birth, adoption (legal or equitable), or marriage (stepchild). A grandchild who is your dependent might also be eligible for SSDI family benefits.

Which Children Are Eligible for Dependents Benefits?

The child must meet additional requirements, including

• being unmarried, and
• being:
• under the age of 18
• 18 to 19 years old and a full-time student (and hasn't completed high school), or
• 18 or older and qualifies as a disabled adult child (more on this below).

An eligible child younger than 18 or 19 doesn't need to be disabled to qualify for Social Security disability benefits for dependents.

Are Stepchildren Eligible for Dependents Benefits?

For your stepchild to qualify for SSDI dependent benefits based on your work record, the child must meet all of the above requirements. You must also have married the child's biological or adoptive parent after the child was born or adopted.

Social Security doesn't generally require that you adopt your stepchild before paying dependent benefits, but the child's benefits will end if you divorce your stepchild's biological or adoptive parent.

A stepchild you've adopted doesn't have to meet these extra requirements, as Social Security considers your adopted children to be your children.

Learn more about getting SSDI dependent benefits for your stepchild.

Are Grandchildren Eligible for Dependents Benefits?

A grandchild you're raising can qualify for Social Security benefits for dependents if the child meets the age and unmarried requirements above and if all of the following are true:

• The child's biological parents are deceased or disabled.
• Your grandchild began living with you before turning 18.
• You provided at least half of the child's support for the year before you became entitled to SSDI (or retirement) benefits or since the child's birth if born during that year.

Any grandchild you've adopted doesn't have to meet these extra requirements, as Social Security considers your adopted children to be your children.

Are My Adult Children Eligible for Disability Benefits?

Children who are 18 or older and not qualifying students are sometimes eligible for what Social Security calls "adult child benefits" if they meet the following criteria:

• The child's disability began before the age of 22.
• The child meets Social Security's definition of a disabled adult.
• The child is unmarried (or marries someone eligible for Social Security disability benefits).

To be disabled under Social Security's guidelines, your adult child must be unable to do substantial work due to a medical condition. And the inability to work must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months (or be expected to result in death)—just like any other adult.

Some adult children have worked enough before becoming disabled to qualify for SSDI based on their own work records. But the dependents benefit might provide higher monthly payments because of your longer work history and higher lifetime earnings. Contact Social Security to determine which benefit will be more.

To learn more, see Nolo's article on disability benefits for adult children.

How Much Does a Child Get if a Parent Is on Disability?

The most your child can receive in SSDI dependent benefits is 50% of your monthly disability payment. (If you should die, your child's dependent benefits switch to survivor benefits, and the amount increases to 75%.)

But Social Security has a family maximum benefit (FMB) rule that limits the amount of dependent or survivor benefits your family can collect. So, if other family members are receiving SSDI benefits based on your work record, the FMB limit will cause your child's benefit amount to be reduced.

Your family's FMB is 150% of your monthly disability benefit. That includes your SSDI benefit plus any dependent benefits your family members receive. Although Social Security won't change your benefit amount, the agency will adjust your family's dependent benefits to stay under the FMB.

SSDI Child Benefits and Back Pay

Your eligible children can start collecting benefits based on your work history dating back to when you were first entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Because it generally takes several months to a year or more for the SSA to approve an SSDI claim, your children will likely receive some back pay.

The date Social Security considers you disabled is your established onset date, or EOD. Here's an example of how SSDI back pay is calculated for dependent benefits.

A child can receive back pay up to 12 months before your application date (if you were disabled at least five months before your application date, due to the five-month waiting period).

How to Apply for SSDI Dependent Benefits for Your Child

To apply for benefits for your child, you must call Social Security or visit your local SSA field office. You'll need proof of your child's eligibility (birth certificate or adoption papers plus the child's Social Security number and proof of citizenship or lawful alien status if born outside of the United States).

If the child's SSDI dependent benefit claim is based on a stepparent's work record, you'll also need to provide proof of marriage to the child's natural or adoptive parent. If the child's parent has died, you'll need proof of death and the deceased parent's U.S. military discharge papers.

You'll also need to be prepared to provide information about yourself, such as your Social Security number, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and your banking information for direct deposit.

To apply for SSDI dependent benefits for a disabled adult child, you can begin the process by completing the following forms:

• Adult Disability Report (SSA-3368-BK), and
• Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration (SSA-827).

You can find both forms at ssa.gov. If you fill out these forms as soon as your adult child becomes eligible, it will speed up the process. Once you've completed both forms, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 to finish your child's application.

Even a child who's already getting SSI might be eligible for higher benefits based on your earnings records. Check with Social Security to see if this option is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some other questions you might have about SSDI dependent benefits for children.

Can my child receive dependent benefits if I'm getting SSI, but not SSDI?

No. Dependent benefits are only available under SSDI, which is based on your work record and Social Security tax contributions. SSI, by contrast, is a needs-based program that provides cash assistance to people with limited income and resources who are also blind, elderly, or disabled. But SSI doesn't provide dependent benefits.

A child can't get Social Security dependent benefits based on a parent receiving SSI payments. Your child can only receive SSI benefits if they're approved for their own SSI, which is based on their own disability and your household's income and resources. Learn more about how a child can qualify for SSI benefits.

Can I apply for SSDI dependent benefits for my Child based on my ex‑spouse's work record?

Yes. Either parent can apply for SSDI dependent benefits for a child, even if the parents are divorced. The key requirements are that the parent whose work record is being used must be the child's biological or adoptive parent (not a stepparent) and currently be receiving SSDI or Social Security retirement benefits, or be deceased.

It doesn't matter if the parent lives with the child or is married to the other parent. Social Security considers the child's relationship to the parent with the qualifying work record, not the parents' current marital or living situation.

What happens to SSDI dependent benefits when a child turns 18?

Social Security dependent child benefits usually end at age 18. However, if the child is still in high school, payments can continue until graduation or until the child turns 19—whichever comes first.

As discussed above, a child with a disability that began before age 22 might be eligible for disabled adult child (DAC) benefits, which allow the child to continue receiving SSDI after they'd otherwise be too old to qualify. These benefits can continue as long as the child remains disabled and the parent remains entitled to SSDI or retirement benefits based on work history, or is deceased.

DAC benefits are based on the parent's work record and the child's disability, so the parent doesn't need to be currently disabled or retired. (Learn more about disabled adult child (DAC) benefits.)

Can my child work and still get Social Security disability benefits for dependents?

In most cases, a minor child's income from part-time or seasonal work doesn't affect benefits. That's because SSDI dependent benefits are based on the disabled parent's earnings record, not the child's. So the child's financial need and work activity don't affect eligibility or benefit amount.

But if your child is receiving SSDI dependent benefits as a disabled adult child, how much the child can earn is limited. To continue receiving dependent SSDI benefits, your disabled adult child must stay below the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit—an income threshold that changes each year—to remain eligible for benefits. (Learn more about how Social Security benefits for children work.)

What happens to my child's dependent benefits if I'm no longer getting SSDI?

That depends on why you are no longer receiving SSDI. If you no longer qualify because you've returned to work, your child's dependent benefits will stop when your payments end. If your disability benefits have converted to retirement benefits due to your age, your child will continue to receive SSDI dependent benefits as long as the child meets the age or disability requirements.

If your SSDI benefits end because of your death, your child can continue receiving benefits (as survivor benefits) based on your work record as long as your child remains otherwise eligible. (Learn more about Social Security dependent benefits for surviving family members.)