Social Security Benefits Payable To Beneficiaries Under Age 18

Appointment of a Representative Payee when a beneficiary for Social Security benefits is under age 18 (Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

A beneficiary under age 18 is generally considered incapable of managing benefit payments. A Representative Payee is normally selected to receive payments on the beneficiary's behalf although there are some exceptions. See Choosing A Representative Payee.

Payments may be made directly to a beneficiary under age 18 if:

  • The beneficiary is age 15 or over; AND
  • It serves the beneficiary's best interests; AND
  • The beneficiary does not have a legal guardian; AND
  • The beneficiary is:
    • Receiving disability insurance benefits on his or her own Social Security earnings record; OR
    • Serving in the military services; OR
    • Self-supporting and living alone; OR
    • A parent filing for himself or herself and has experience in handling his or her own finances; OR
    • Capable of using the benefits to provide for his or her own current needs and no qualified payee is available; OR
    • Within seven months of turning age 18 and is initially filing an application for benefits.

Note: If a minor beneficiary has the status of an adult under State law, he or she may be paid directly without having to fulfill the above requirements.