Learn About Childhood Disability Benefits Under SSDI

What Is SSDI and How It Relates to Childhood Disability

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program run by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It provides monthly payments to people with disabilities who have worked and paid Social Security taxes, and also to certain family members of workers who have become disabled, retired, or died. For children specifically, SSDI operates through what is called Disabled Child Benefits.

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When a parent becomes disabled, retires, or passes away, their children may receive monthly payments based on that parent's Social Security record. This is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a separate needs-based program. A child does not need to have worked to receive SSDI benefits through a parent's record—the child's own work history does not matter.

According to the Social Security Administration, as of 2023, approximately 1.3 million children receive SSDI benefits as dependents of disabled, retired, or deceased workers. These payments help families manage the financial impact of a parent's disability or loss. The average payment to a child in 2023 was around $870 per month, though amounts vary based on the parent's earnings record.

Children can continue to receive these payments beyond age 18 if they become disabled before age 22. This provision recognizes that some young people experience severe disabilities during childhood or early adulthood that prevent them from working. The definition of "disabled" under Social Security is strict: the condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and it must prevent the person from doing substantial work.

Key Takeaway: SSDI for children is based on a parent's work record, not the child's own work history. Understanding whether a child may receive dependent benefits requires knowledge of the parent's disability status, retirement status, or death, along with the child's age and disability status.

Understanding the Definition of Disability for Children Under SSDI

The Social Security Administration uses a specific definition of disability that applies to children. Unlike everyday understanding of disability, the SSA definition is medical and functional. A child must have a physical or mental condition that results in marked and severe functional limitations and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

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The SSA maintains a list called the Blue Book that describes conditions and how they are evaluated for disability purposes. This list includes conditions in many categories: musculoskeletal, special senses, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, genitourinary, hematological, immune, skin, endocrine, neurological, mental disorders, and cancers, among others. However, having a condition on the Blue Book does not automatically mean a child meets the disability standard—medical evidence must support that the condition causes severe functional limitations.

For children, functional limitations mean difficulty with activities important for a child's age. These include:

• Physical functioning, such as movement, strength, or coordination
• Communication and social interaction with peers
• School functioning and academic progress
• Self-care activities like eating, dressing, and personal hygiene
• The ability to manage behavior and emotions in age-appropriate ways

Medical evidence is central to how disability is determined for children. This includes records from doctors, hospitals, clinics, psychologists, and other healthcare providers. The evidence must show the nature, severity, and expected duration of the condition. SSA also considers how the condition affects the child's ability to function in school and social settings. For example, a child with severe ADHD that prevents school attendance or appropriate classroom behavior may have marked and severe functional limitations, but mild ADHD that does not significantly impair school or social functioning would not meet the standard.

Key Takeaway: Disability under SSDI for children is not simply having a medical diagnosis. It requires showing through medical evidence that the condition causes marked and severe functional limitations in areas important to childhood development and daily life.

When a Child Can Receive Disabled Child Benefits

A child may receive SSDI benefits under a parent's work record in specific situations. The most common scenario is when a parent becomes disabled and receives SSDI benefits. Once a parent is approved for SSDI, each of their unmarried children under age 19 may receive benefits if the child is in full-time high school attendance, or up to age 19 without school attendance requirements. Children can also receive benefits at any age if they became disabled before age 22.

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When a parent retires at full retirement age (currently ages 66 to 67 for people born in 1954 or later), each unmarried child under age 19 may receive benefits, or up to age 19 if in full-time high school. Children disabled before age 22 can receive benefits indefinitely based on retirement of the parent. Similarly, if a parent passes away, children may receive survivor benefits. Each unmarried child of a deceased worker under age 19 may receive benefits, or up to age 19 if in full-time high school. A child disabled before age 22 may receive benefits for life.

The amount a child receives is based on a percentage of the parent's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)—the amount the parent would receive at full retirement age. Typically, each child receives 75 percent of the parent's PIA, though there is a family maximum benefit. The family maximum is usually between 150 and 180 percent of the parent's PIA. If multiple family members are receiving benefits on one parent's record, the total divided among them cannot exceed the family maximum.

A child's benefits stop when certain events occur: the child turns 19 if not in full-time high school, the child's disability ends (for those receiving benefits due to disability before age 22), the child dies, or the parent's benefit eligibility ends. The parent's benefit eligibility can end if the parent passes away, though this would convert the child's benefits to survivor benefits instead of disabled child benefits.

Key Takeaway: Children can receive SSDI benefits based on a parent's work record if the parent is disabled, retired, or deceased, and the child meets age and school attendance requirements or disability criteria. The payment amount is a percentage of the parent's benefit, subject to family maximums.

Information About the Application and Verification Process

To pursue SSDI benefits as a child dependent, a parent or guardian must contact the Social Security Administration directly. This can be done by visiting a local Social Security office, calling the national toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or visiting the official Social Security website at ssa.gov. The SSA does not recognize third-party representatives for initial inquiries about family benefits, though legal representatives may become involved later in the process if someone wishes to have one.

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When contacting SSA, a parent or guardian will need to provide information about the worker's Social Security record and the child's information. For dependent benefits, the SSA will typically need:

• The parent's Social Security number
• The child's Social Security number and date of birth
• Proof of the parent's disability status, retirement status, or death
• Proof of family relationship (birth certificate)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency
• School enrollment verification if the child is between ages 18 and 19

For children receiving benefits due to disability before age 22, additional medical evidence will be required. The SSA will request medical records from all treatment providers, including doctors, hospitals, mental health providers, and specialists. Medical tests, exam results, and clinical observations are important. The SSA may also arrange for the child to be examined by a doctor or psychologist of the SSA's choosing.

The verification process involves SSA reviewing all submitted information and comparing it against the worker's earnings record and the child's circumstances. For dependent benefits where the child has no disability, this is typically a straightforward process once the relationship and age are confirmed. For benefits based on childhood disability, the process is more extensive and may take several months. SSA will issue a decision and explain the reasons for approval or denial in writing.

Key Takeaway: Contacting SSA directly through official channels is the proper way to learn about dependent benefits. Documentation of family relationship, the worker's status, and