How to actually apply for Social Security child benefits without endless phone wait times?

OMG the same thing happened to me!! Got the letter about my 17 yr old, tried calling for 2 weeks straight and always got disconnected or had to hang up because the wait was so long. Do they seriously expect people to sit on hold all day??

I went through this process last year with my 15-year-old son. Here's what worked for me: 1. Call your local office right when they open (usually 9am local time) 2. Have ALL documents ready: your child's birth certificate, Social Security card, and proof they're in school if over 16 3. If the phone doesn't work, go in person but arrive 30-45 minutes before they open The child benefit is definitely worth pursuing - my son gets about $1,425 monthly as an eligible child on my record. Remember benefits can continue until age 18 (or 19 if still in high school). The process itself is pretty straightforward once you actually speak to someone. They'll need to verify your relationship, get school information if they're 16+, and set up a direct deposit account for the payments.

Try claimyr.com - it worked for me when I was dealing with survivor benefits for my nephew. They connect you with a SS agent without the crazy wait times. Saved me a massive headache! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU

I think your mixing up SSI and regular Social Security benefits. SSI is for disabled kids and has income limits. Regular SS doesn't have that. my cousins kid got denied because they made to much money.

Honestly the ONLY way I ever got through was going in person right when they opened. Bring a folding chair if you have back issues - you might be waiting outside. It sucks but it was faster than the endless phone nightmare. Bring EVERY document you might possibly need: - Your ID - Your SS card - Child's birth certificate (original!) - Child's SS card - Child's school records - Your bank info for direct deposit - The letter they sent you THEY WILL FIND A REASON TO MAKE YOU COME BACK if you're missing ANYTHING. I had to go twice because I didn't bring proof my son lived with me. 🙄

The child benefits program (officially called auxiliary benefits) is definitely worth pursuing. A few important points: 1. Your child can receive up to 50% of your full retirement benefit amount, but there's a family maximum that might reduce this somewhat 2. Benefits are payable to unmarried children under 18, or up to 19 if still in high school full-time 3. The application does require a phone call or office visit - there's no online option yet 4. If your child is 16 or older, they'll likely need Form SSA-1372 completed by their school 5. Benefits can be paid retroactively for up to 6 months from application date As for getting through, early morning on Wednesdays and Thursdays tend to have slightly shorter wait times in my experience helping clients. Avoid Mondays and the first week of any month if possible.

i went thru this last year and the whole thing was a NIGHTMARE!!!! waited 5 hours at the office only to be told i didnt have the right papers. then when i finally got everything done they only gave my daughter $843 a month even tho my neighbor's kid gets like $1200 for the same thing!!!!! the whole system is RIGGED and they make it hard on purpose so people give up!!!

When I finally got thru for my daughters benefits, the lady told me I should have applied right when I started getting my benefits! I lost out on 4 months of payments for her because I didn't know. So apply ASAP!!!

Quick update on my earlier comment - I forgot to mention that you should check if your local office allows appointments. Some offices now let you schedule them through the SSA website. It's hit or miss, but worth checking before you spend hours on hold or waiting in line.

I was in your exact situation two months ago with my 17-year-old daughter. After wasting days trying to get through on the phone, I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. Got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes and had the whole application done in another 30. My daughter's first payment arrived about 3 weeks later. They backpaid from when I first got my benefits too!