Despite the fact that most people are aware that anyone who has been deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration (SSA) is entitled to disability benefits, most of these same people are unaware of dependent benefits.
Social Security provides benefits to children of insured workers who die, become disabled, or retire. According to SSA, approximately 3.2 million children under the age of 18 receive monthly benefits from SSA. This represents about 6.5 percent of all Social Security beneficiaries.
The calculation and classification of dependent child benefits can be confusing. Common questions arise about what is a “dependent child?” And, how is the dependent child monthly benefit amount calculated?
It is more common to have a dependent child in a disability or survivor’s claim, but the qualifications are the same regardless of whether the Social Security insured recipient is disabled, deceased or retired.
Children whose parents become eligible for benefits due to disability may be eligible themselves to receive benefits. And, Social Security will include biological children, adopted children and dependent stepchildren in their definition of children.
In order for a child to receive benefits the child must be unmarried, younger than 18 or if 18 and older, be classified as disabled prior to their 18th birthday.
Social Security identifies a child (eligible for benefits) in the following ways:
- Natural child
- Child of a void marriage
- Legitimated child
- Child of invalid ceremonial marriage
- Legally adopted child
- Equitably adopted child
- Stepchild
- Grandchild/Step-grandchild of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiary or their spouse.
Child benefits are subject to a family maximum amount, which limits the total monthly amount payable from the primary beneficiary’s earnings record. The family maximum for retirement and survivor benefits ranges from 150 percent to 188 percent of insured worker’s benefits and 100 percent to 150 percent of the disabled worker’s benefits.
