Social Security Disability for Children and Other Benefits

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Disability Guide Topics

Benefits from private sources such as pensions or private insurance benefits do not affect SSDI. Any income you receive is counted for SSI.

SSDI/SSI and Other Concurrent Benefits

Workers Compensation benefits or other public disability you receive can affect the amount of your Social Security Disability benefits. The total of benefits you receive from both programs cannot exceed 80 percent of your average current earnings before you became disabled.

Workers Compensation payments count as income under SSI. The amount of Workmans Compensation you receive could reduce or eliminate your SSI benefit.

Your Social Security benefit will not be reduced if you receive benefits from :

Veterans Administration benefits
State and local government benefits - if Social Security taxes were deducted from your earnings.

Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security

Some private and public benefit programs require you to accept Medicare if you are eligible. They then act as gap insurance and cover what Medicare or Medicaid does not. You will need to check with each individual program.

SSDI/SSI Benefits While Working

You can continue to receive SSDI/SSI benefits for a limited period of time if you are working under one of the work incentive programs. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act also allows people with disabilities continue to work and receive medical benefits.

Disability and Children

Can Children Qualify for SSDI or SSI?

Children can qualify for benefits under SSDI and SSI. They can qualify for benefits as a dependent of the disabled parents. They can also qualify for benefits if they meet circumstances listed below.

SSDI for Children Based on the Record of a Parent

The SSDI program pays benefits to adults who have a disability that began before they became 22 years old. Social Security considers this SSDI benefit as a "child’s" benefit because it is paid on a parent’s Social Security earnings record.

For a disabled adult to become entitled to this "child" benefit, one of his or her parents:
Must be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits; or
Must have died and have worked long enough under Social Security.

These benefits also are payable to an adult who received dependents benefits on a parent’s Social Security earnings record prior to age 18, if he or she is disabled at age 18. We make the disability decision using the disability rules for adults. SSDI disabled adult “child” benefits continue as long as the individual remains disabled. Your child does not need to have worked to get these benefits.

SSI for Those Under the Age of 18

Social Security has Listing of Impairments that applies to children. It covers the same major body groups as the listing of impairments for adults. The child must have:

A physical or mental condition or a combination of conditions, that results in "marked and severe functional limitations." This means that the condition(s) must very seriously limit your child’s activities.

The child’s condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months; or must be expected to result in death.

SSDI/SSI Application for Children

You can apply for benefits for your child using Social Security’s toll free number. You will need the following information:

For SSI payments for your child, you should have his or her Social Security number and birth certificate with you when you apply.
For SSDI benefits for your child have your own Social Security number with you in addition to the child’s Social Security number and birth certificate.
As much information as you can about your child’s medical condition(s);
Dates of visits to doctors or hospitals, the patient account numbers for any doctors or hospitals, and any other information that will help us get your child’s medical records; and
Provide copies of any medical reports or information that you already have in your possession.

Trying to Get Disability Benefits?