Social Security Child's Benefits

Social Security Survivors Benefits are available to certain family members of a worker who is receiving Social Security Disability or Social Security Retirement benefits or a worker who dies.  Specifically, children and adults disabled before age 22 may be entitled to benefits. 

Benefits for Children

A child may be entitled to Social Security Survivors Benefits if he or she is the child of an insured person who is retired, disabled, or deceased.  These benefits are often referred to as Social Security Child's Benefits.  To be entitled to Social Security Child's Benefits, the child must:

1. Be the Natural Child, Adopted Child, or Step-Child of an Insured Person who is Retired, Disabled, or Deceased.
2. Be Younger than Age 18 or Age 18 to 19 and a Full-Time Student (Through Grade 12).
3. Be or Have Been Dependent on the Insured Person.
4. Be Unmarried.
5. Apply. 

Disabled Adult Children

An adult, age 18 or older, may be entitled to Social Security Survivors Benefits if he or she can establish a disability that began before age 22 and if he or she is the child of an insured person who is retired, disabled, or deceased.  This adult is considered a Disabled Adult Child.  To be entitled to Social Security Child’s Benefits as a Disabled Adult Child, the adult must:

1. Be the Natural Child, Adopted Child, or Step-Child of an Insured Person who is Retired, Disabled, or Deceased.
2. Have a Disability that Began Before Age 22.  Social Security uses the same disability definition as used with adults for Social Security Disability.
3. Be or Have Been Dependent on the Insured Person.
4. Be Unmarried.
5. Apply.

See the Social Security Administration publication Benefits For Children.