Family Benefits
Understanding Social Security Child Benefits for Minors Under Age 18
Verified against SSA POMS as of September 19, 2026
The short answer
Child benefits are payable to a dependent child of an insured individual who receives Retirement or Disability Insurance Benefits or is deceased. A child's benefit is one-half of the parent’s Primary Insurance Amount if alive, or three-fourths if deceased, subject to the family maximum provision. Generally, a representative payee is required for beneficiaries under 18.
Eligibility Criteria for Child Benefits
According to 20 CFR 404.350, a child is entitled to benefits if they are the insured's natural, adopted, or dependent stepchild, are unmarried, and under age 18. The parent must be entitled to old-age or disability benefits, or deceased. The application is mandatory to establish entitlement for these benefits.
20 CFR 404.350 View source ›Calculation of Child's Benefits
Per RS 00203.025, each child's benefit is determined by the status of the number holder (NH). If the NH is alive, the benefit is one-half of the NH’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). If the NH is deceased, the child's benefit is three-fourths of the NH's PIA. Both scenarios are subject to the family maximum provisions.
RS 00203.025 View source ›Representative Payee Requirements
According to 20 CFR 404.2010, benefits are generally paid to a representative payee for beneficiaries under age 18. However, direct payments can be made to minors showing an ability to manage benefits, such as living independently or being a parent responsible for their own and their children’s finances. Additional conditions are outlined in HBK 1602 and 20 CFR 416.610.
HBK 1602 View source ›Evidence and Application Process
RS 00203.040 specifies the evidence required for child's benefits, including age, relationship, dependency, and when pertinent, full-time school attendance. Applicants must submit forms like the SSA-4-BK and, for students nearing 18, the SSA-1372 to confirm school attendance.
RS 00203.040 View source ›Frequently asked
How much Social Security does a child under 18 get?
If the parent is alive, the child gets one-half of the parent's PIA. If deceased, the child gets three-fourths, subject to family maximum limits.
Do I need a representative payee for my child's Social Security benefits?
Generally, yes. A representative payee is necessary for children under 18, except in special cases where the child demonstrates capability.
Can a child receive Social Security benefits from more than one parent's record?
A child can be technically entitled on more than one parent's record but receives benefits only from one record, typically the one with the highest benefit.
What forms are needed to apply for child's benefits?
You generally need to submit SSA-4-BK for child’s benefits and SSA-1372 for students nearing 18 to verify school attendance.