If an individual is disabled and entitled to Social Security Title 2 benefits – also called Disability Insurance benefits, his or her minor children can also receive benefits from Social Security.
These benefits are called “auxiliary benefits” by Social Security.
It is important to remember that auxiliary benefits are only available if the disabled parent (disabled mother or disabled father) is receiving Disability Insurance benefits. There are no auxiliary benefits when the disable parent is receiving Social Security Title 16 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Other than the parent being disabled, what else do you need to receive children’s benefits?
This is governed by 20 CFR 404.350 “Who is entitled to children’s benefits”
(a) General. You are entitled to child’s benefits on the earnings record of an insured person who is entitled to old-age or disability benefits or who has died if-
(1) You are the insured person’s child, based upon a relationship described in §§404.355 through 404.359;
(2) You are dependent on the insured, as defined in §§404.360 through 404.365;
(3) You apply;
(4) You are unmarried; and
(5) You are under age 18; you are 18 years old or older and have a disability that began before you became 22 years old; or you are 18 years or older and qualify for benefits as a full-time student as described in §404.367.
So, if you are disabled, receiving Disability Insurance benefits from Social Security, and have an unmarried child under 18, they should already be receiving children’s benefits. If not, apply for them.
