When can minor children of Social Security recipients receive Social Security benefits?
Dependent minor children of Social Security beneficiaries (including legally adopted children and dependent step children or grandchildren) are eligible for dependent benefits when a parent starts receiving Social Security benefits. If the parent dies, children can continue receiving benefits (called survivor benefits). Both dependent and survivor benefits continue until age 18 (or age 19 if the dependent remains in school). Dependent and survivor benefits are provided to all dependent children, without regard to whether or not the children have disabilities. Back to the Top What Social Security rules apply to adults disabled since childhood? Social Security benefits for dependent children normally stop when a child reaches age 18 (or 19 if the child is a full-time student). These benefits can continue to be paid into adulthood, however, if the child is disabled. To qualify for these benefits, an individual must be eligible as the child of someone who is getting Social Security retirem
