How Children Can Benefit from SSDI Payments

Family Benefits with SSDI

• If you’re approved for SSDI, your children may be eligible for benefits as dependent beneficiaries. This can provide additional financial assistance to help support your family.
• Who qualifies as a dependent child? Your biological or adopted children under the age of 18 can qualify for benefits.
• If your child is a student, they may qualify for benefits until they turn 19, provided they are still enrolled in school full-time.
• Children over the age of 18 may still qualify if they are disabled and the disability began before they turned 22.

How Much Will My Children Receive?

• The amount your children will receive depends on your SSDI benefit amount. SSDI family benefits are typically calculated as a percentage of your benefit, with a maximum amount based on your earnings record.
• Dependent child benefits can range from 25% to 50% of your SSDI payment, but there’s a family maximum benefit. The family maximum is the total amount that can be paid to you and your dependents, including your children. This amount varies depending on your work history and how much you earned while working.
• Example: If your SSDI benefit is $2,000 per month and you have two children, each child might receive $500 per month, assuming there’s no family maximum cap. However, if there’s a cap, your children’s benefits may be reduced accordingly.

How Do I Apply for Benefits for My Children?

• When you apply for SSDI, you can include your dependent children in your application. You will need to provide proof of your relationship to the children, such as birth certificates or adoption papers, and proof of their ages.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) will review your application and determine the amount your children are eligible to receive based on your disability benefits.

How Children Can Benefit from SSI Payments

SSI Benefits for Children

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides benefits to low-income individuals, including children, who are disabled. If your child has a disability and meets the income and asset requirements, they may qualify for SSI benefits, regardless of whether you are receiving SSDI or not.
• Eligibility for SSI as a Child:
• The child must have a disability that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
• The child must also meet the income and asset limits set by the SSA. This includes household income and resources, so if you are receiving SSDI or other income, it may impact your child’s eligibility.

How Much Will My Child Receive in SSI?

• The amount your child receives from SSI is determined by their financial need and the current federal benefit rate for SSI. The standard SSI benefit for a child is typically around $794 per month (as of 2025), but this amount can vary depending on your state and other factors like income and living arrangements.
• SSI for Disabled Children: If your child qualifies for SSI due to a disability, they may also receive Medicaid or other state assistance, which can further help with healthcare and other costs.

Family Maximum Benefit Limit for SSDI

When you have children who qualify for SSDI benefits, it’s important to know that there’s a family maximum benefit. This is the total amount of money that can be paid to you and your dependents. The SSA calculates the family maximum based on your earnings record, and it usually ranges from 150% to 180% of your monthly benefit amount.

• How the Family Maximum Works:
  If you’re the primary beneficiary and your family members (including children) are eligible for benefits, the total of all payments (your benefit plus the payments to your children) cannot exceed the family maximum amount. If the total exceeds this limit, the benefits may be reduced across the board, including your children’s benefits.

How Will My Child’s Social Security Benefits Be Paid?

Direct Payments to Your Children

• For children under the age of 18, the SSDI or SSI benefits are typically paid to the parent or guardian who is responsible for the child. This parent or guardian will receive the payments on behalf of the child.
• Once the child reaches the age of 18, the benefits may be paid directly to the child, provided they are still eligible for benefits.

Benefits for Children with Disabilities

• If your child is over 18 but under 22 and is disabled, they may be able to receive SSDI benefits as an adult child with a disability, based on your earnings record. In this case, the child’s disability must have begun before they turned 22, and the benefits will be based on your work history.
• SSI Benefits for Disabled Children: If your child was approved for SSI benefits based on their own disability, they may continue to receive benefits as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.