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Summer Soliman-Gardner

Is Your Child Missing Out On Social Security Financial Entitlements?

Updated: Jan 13, 2021


Do you have a child with a disability or are you an unmarried child of a deceased parent who was receiving Social Security Benefits? If you answered yes, then you may be entitled to receive monthly financial payments from Social Security Administration (SSA).

Over 4.4 million children in the US receive Social Security payments every year because they have a disability or because their parent who was receiving social security benefits becomes deceased. These benefits are very important in providing families with a stable financial environment. In fact, every year in the US, Social Security Benefits lifts over 1.5 million children out of poverty.


Social Security Child Disability benefits vary and are determined by specific case circumstances, however the base rate paid is $783 per month. California is one of a handful of states that adds a supplemental amount to increase the payment to up to $963 per month. ​

To meet the SSA's criteria your child must have a medically determinable physical and/or mental impairment which results in marked or severe limitations for a continuous period of at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. The SSA's list of qualifiable child disabilities is comprehensive, however, if your child has one of the following diagnoses, they will most likely qualify for Social Security Income (SSI) payments:

  • Total Blindness

  • Total Deafness

  • Down Syndrome

  • Severe Intellectual Disability

  • Cerebral Palsy

If your child does not have a disability but you as the parent suffer from a disability; have retired; and are receiving social security benefits, then your child may also receive benefits. In some cases, your child may receive up to 50% of what you receive.

Although Social Security Benefits provide crucial financial assistance to those in need, the enrolment process can be overwhelming and time consuming, preventing may from receiving these life changing benefits. Fortunately, our expert Benefits Access Support advocates are here to help with over an 80% success rate of claims submitted and record times for approvals.


Eight-year-old African American, Trenton had his Christmas wish come true when he was awarded SSI benefits, with the assistance of a dedicated HMHY Benefits Access Support advocate. Trenton and his family moved from Louisiana a year ago and were residing at the Catholic Charities Shelter, Long Beach, CA. After experiencing difficulties with school work and interacting with fellow students, Trenton was diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder. He was matched with a dedicated Benefits Access Support advocate to obtain the required medical records, liaise with his school teacher for additional information and navigate the Social Security communication and enrollment process. Trenton was awarded Child Disability Social Security Income Claim within 5 months of his initial case review. These benefits helped to improve Trenton and his family's life who have now found permanent housing and monthly financial support. "We were overwhelmed and unsettled from the move, being homeless and Trenton's struggles at school. All this further affected Trenton's condition and overall happiness. Thank God for the team at Help Me Help You and Catholic Charities for their dedication to improve our lives. Trenton is more settled and happier, and so are our family", said Trenton's mother.


For more information, or to see if you qualify for Social Security Benefits, please complete our free case review at helpmehelpu.org/bas.

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