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Program Description

A child may qualify to get Child's Insurance Benefits if one or both parents have a disability, are retired, or deceased. Under certain circumstances, the following children may also qualify for benefits:

  • Stepchild
  • Grandchild
  • Step-grandchild
  • Adopted child

General Program Requirements

A child must have one of the following to qualify for benefits:

  • A parent who is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
  • A parent who died after earning enough Social Security credits.

The child must also be unmarried and one of the following:

  • Younger than age 18.
  • Age 18-19 and a full-time student (no higher than grade 12).
  • Age 18 or older and have a disability that began before age 22.

Application Process

Read about benefits for children. Visit the Information You Need To Apply for Child's Benefits page for details on how to apply.

Use the SSA BEST (Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool) to find if you qualify for Social Security benefits. When you complete the questionnaire, you get a list of benefits to review. You can print this page for your records.

To apply for benefits, visit the Apply for Social Security Benefits page. You can also call to get benefit information and learn how to apply.

Last Updated: 05/08/2023