The main programs that pay money for a disabled child

If your child has a disability, there are two federal programs that send monthly payments to your household: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Which one your child might receive depends on your family's income and assets, and on your work history with Social Security.

SSI is the program most families encounter first. It pays a monthly amount to children under 18 whose disability meets Social Security's definition, and whose family income and resources fall below certain limits. There is no requirement that a parent has worked—SSI is based on financial need.

SSDI is different. Your child receives it because you have a Social Security work record—either from current work, past work, or because you yourself receive disability or retirement benefits. Your child's own income matters less; the program focuses on your earnings history.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI pays monthly to children whose disability meets Social Security's medical rules and whose family income is below the limit, regardless of parental work history.
  • SSDI pays to children based on a parent's Social Security work record, and has looser income rules than SSI.
  • A child can receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time, though the total amount is reduced to prevent overpayment.
  • The Social Security Administration must receive medical evidence—doctor's reports, test results, hospital records—before making any decision about your child's disability.
  • You do not pay to explore, and you can reapply if you are turned down the first time.

How Social Security defines disability for children

Social Security does not use the same disability definition for children that it uses for adults. A child's condition must be severe enough to cause marked and severe functional limitations—meaning it significantly restricts what the child can do in daily life, school, or play.

The condition must also be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. This means temporary injuries or illnesses, even serious ones, do not may have access to. Social Security looks at the whole picture: the child's medical condition, how it affects their ability to function, what treatments they receive, and how they respond to treatment.

Conditions that commonly lead to approval include cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, cystic fibrosis, juvenile diabetes, and severe mental health conditions. But Social Security evaluates each child individually. Two children with the same diagnosis may have different outcomes because their functional limitations differ.

What documents you need to gather

Social Security will ask for medical records that show your child's condition and how it affects daily life. Start by collecting records from your child's doctors, specialists, hospitals, and therapists. These should include recent test results, imaging reports, treatment notes, and any diagnoses.

You will also need proof of your child's age and citizenship—a birth certificate works for both. If you are explore for SSI, you will need to show your family's income and resources: recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and proof of any other income or assets. If you are explore for SSDI based on your own work record, Social Security already has that information, but you may need to provide proof of your child's relationship to you.

Do not wait until you have every document before contacting Social Security. You can start the process with what you have and send additional records later. Social Security will tell you what else they need.

How to start the process

Contact your local Social Security office by phone, in person, or online through Social Security's website. You can also call the national Social Security number: 1-800-772-1213. Tell them you want to explore for benefits for your child and whether you believe SSI or SSDI is the right program.

A Social Security representative will schedule an appointment—either by phone or in person—to take your process. They will ask detailed questions about your child's medical history, your family situation, your income, and your work record. This conversation usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

After the appointment, Social Security will send you a written summary of what you reported. Read it carefully and contact them if anything is wrong. They will then request medical records from your child's doctors and begin their review.

What happens after you explore

Social Security sends a request for medical records to the doctors and facilities you list. This process can take several weeks. Once Social Security receives the records, a disability examiner reviews them against the program's medical rules.

You will receive a written decision in the mail. If approved, the letter will say when payments begin and how much your child will receive each month. If denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to request reconsideration—a second review by a different examiner.

The entire process from process to first decision typically takes 3 to 6 months for SSI and 4 to 8 months for SSDI, though it can be faster or slower depending on how quickly medical records arrive and how complex your child's case is.

What your child can receive while under 18

If approved for SSI, your child receives a monthly payment. The amount varies by state because some states add money to the federal SSI payment. In 2024, the federal SSI amount for a child is $943 per month, but your state may pay more.

If approved for SSDI, your child receives a percentage of your Social Security benefit—typically 50 percent of what you would receive at full retirement age. This amount does not change based on state.

Both programs also provide Medicaid, which covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescription medications, and therapy. For SSI recipients, Medicaid is usually automatic. For SSDI recipients, Medicaid rules vary by state, but many states provide it.

What changes when your child turns 18

At age 18, Social Security treats your child as an adult. If your child receives SSI, Social Security will review the case to see if your child still meets the adult disability definition. The rules are stricter for adults, so some children who may have access to as minors do not may have access to as adults.

If your child receives SSDI, the payments continue as long as your child remains disabled under the adult rules. Your child's own income and resources now matter for SSI purposes, not your family's.

Social Security will contact you before your child turns 18 to explain what will happen. If your child's case will be reviewed, you will receive notice of the decision after the review is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child work and still receive benefits?

Yes, but with limits. For SSI, your child can earn a small amount of work income each month without losing benefits—currently $65 per month plus half of earnings above that. For SSDI, your child can work and earn up to a certain amount (called substantial gainful activity) without losing benefits. Both programs have work incentives designed to encourage employment.

What if I was denied the first time?

You can request reconsideration, which means a different examiner reviews your case. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request this. You can also submit new medical evidence that was not available before. If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Do I have to pay back benefits if my child's condition improves?

No. If your child's condition improves and Social Security stops benefits, you keep all the money you received while your child was disabled. However, if Social Security overpaid you—for example, because you did not report a change in income—you may be asked to return the overpayment.

Can my child receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time?

Yes. If your child qualifies for both, Social Security pays SSDI first, then reduces the SSI payment so the total does not exceed the SSI limit. This is called "deemed income." Your child receives the full benefit amount, but it comes from both programs.

What if my child's disability is not obvious or not yet diagnosed?

Social Security bases decisions on medical evidence, not on how a condition looks. If your child has symptoms but no diagnosis, ask your child's doctor for a referral to a specialist. Bring all medical records—test results, imaging, therapy notes—even if they do not show a formal diagnosis. Social Security can sometimes approve based on the pattern of symptoms and functional limitations.