If you are a parent and take care of your child who receives Social Security benefits and is under age 18, you can get benefits until your child reaches age 16. Your child’s benefit will continue until he or she reaches age 18, or 19 if he or she is still in school full time.

What can I use my child’s Social Security benefits for?

The money can be spent only on the following:

• medical treatment and related expenses, such as rehabilitation or therapy expenses or skilled nursing assistance.
• educational expenses, including job or skills training.
• special equipment, including computers and specialized vans.
• home modification costs, or.

Will my child lose Social Security benefits if I remarry?

Although remarriage has no effect on a child’s eligibility for benefits, the benefit going directly to the widow(er) terminates if he or she remarries. That is, a widow(er) who remarries has access to his or her new spouse’s income and is in less need of support from a public program.

At what age can you collect Social Security widow’s benefits?

age 60
Your widow or widower can get reduced benefits as early as age 60. If your surviving spouse is disabled, benefits can begin as early as age 50. For more information on widows, widowers, and other survivors, visit

Can a child receive Social Security from their birth parents?

This is true for survivor benefits and disability benefits, as well. Can Adopted Children Receive Social Security Benefits from their Birth Parents? You would typically only be eligible to receive social security benefits from your birth parents if you were adopted as result of their death and you received survivor benefits.

How are Social Security benefits calculated for children?

Here’s how Social Security benefits are calculated for children in various circumstances: Parent who is disabled: A child can generally receive up to 50% of the parent’s total benefit. The average monthly benefit for a child in this situation is $382. Parent who is retired: A child can generally receive up to 50% of the parent’s total benefit.

How does social security work if your child is disabled?

If your child is disabled, the Social Security Administration offers a Disability Starter Kit that can help you navigate the process of applying for benefits. If you are taking care of a child and are receiving Social Security benefits for that reason, their benefits may stop at a different time from your own.

How old does a child have to be to receive SSA benefits?

The SSA considers a child eligible to receive SSA benefits based on the work record of a parent qualified to receive SSA benefits if he is single, under 18 (19 if a full-time student in grade 12 or below) or disabled before age 22. Under most circumstances, the SSA assigns a representative payee to manage SSA benefits paid to a child under age 18.