Millions of American children depend on Social Security benefits every month. These benefits enable children who have lost a parent, have a disability, or come from low-income households to earn a decent living. However, recent government reforms threaten Social Security payments for children. Most of these reforms are led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
How Many Children Are Affected?
In December 2023, about 3.47 million children under the age 18 received benefits from the Social Security Administration. Here are the figures:
- 3 million receiving survivor benefits (for children whose parent has died).
- Over 900,000 children of disabled workers.
- More than 300,000 children of retired workers.
- Nearly 1 million children receive Supplemental Security Income) for their own disabilities.
According to these figures, almost 1 in every 20 children in the U.S. benefit directly from Social Security monthly checks. A significant number also benefits indirectly through the payments that their parents and caregivers receive.
The Risk to Personal Data
The SSA collects personal information on every child who applies or receives Social Security benefits. This data includes their Social Security number, family income, citizenship status, and medical records.
Recently, a court ruling blocked the SSA from sharing this sensitive data with DOGE. However, on June 6, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted that block, and now DOGE has access to the sensitive data at the SSA. Although the lawsuit is still ongoing, DOGE has full access to the data.
In her dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote:
“The Court grants a stay permitting the Government to give unfettered data access to DOGE…despite its failure to show any need or any interest in complying with existing privacy safeguards.”
The decision to allow DOGE access to sensitive SSA data has raised serious concerns because it could be leaked, hacked, or misused. The SSN of children could be used for identity theft or used to train artificial intelligence tools without their consent.
How Immigrant Families Are Being Hurt
DOGE has targeted immigrants in the recent past, and their access to sensitive data at the SSA now makes the situation even more perilous. Some children receive benefits through a “representative payee,” such as a parent or caregiver. In some cases, this person might be undocumented, which could prompt DOGE to cut benefits to such children.
DOGE has been accused of marking immigrants as “dead” in SSA databases and misusing and misinterpreting information, thereby targeting undocumented people. Having access to more data could put vulnerable children and their families in even greater danger.
Cuts to SSA Staffing and Services Make It Worse
Besides DOGE’s access to children’s data at the SSA, it is also cutting staff and resources at the SSA. This is despite the fact that the SSA is already at its lowest staffing levels in 50 years. DOGE has also ordered the closure of several field offices, which has slowed down service delivery.
Due to these cuts, survivor benefits can only be applied for in person or by phone, but not online. This has led to an increase in phone wait times and longer waiting times in the remaining SSA offices. It is becoming increasingly difficult for families to access the benefits their children are entitled to, especially after the death or disability of a parent or caregiver.
Disability Benefits Are Being Delayed
In addition to the closure of offices and workforce cuts, the SSA is struggling with broken technology, missing resources, and other abrupt changes to essential software systems. DOGE aims to change the SSA’s payment system as quickly as possible, despite expert advice that a safe rewrite would take years.
If the system fails, the lives of millions of children could be at risk, considering that households with children who are recipients of Social Security receive up to 21% of their income from the SSA. For families where both adults and children are recipients of Social Security benefits, the benefits account u to 40% of the overall income. This means that if a single check is delayed, some families could go without food or rent.
Conclusion
The reforms by Trump’s administration, led by DOGE, are putting Social Security child benefits at risk. Many households depend heavily on these benefits to survive. Additionally, DOGE’s access to sensitive data at the SSA puts children at risk of identity theft, while its rushed reforms could lead to service delays and service interruptions.
Besides kids, Social Security is a lifeline for vulnerable individuals, and the government should consider their well-being when enacting their reforms.