Paternity Testing for Social Security Benefits
Published February 2, 2026 · Medically reviewed by the partner laboratory's medical director, AABB-accredited relationship-testing laboratory
The Social Security Administration accepts AABB-accredited DNA paternity test results with chain of custody as evidence when establishing paternity for a child's survivor or dependent benefits after a father's death or disability. Our $249 Legal Paternity Test meets SSA evidentiary requirements.
Common scenarios
A father dies without having signed a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity, and the child needs survivor benefits. Or a disabled father wants his child added to his benefits. Both cases require documented paternity — DNA testing is the strongest evidence when other documentation is missing.
Ready to move forward? Order our $99 at-home test — AABB-accredited, results in 1–2 business days.
When the father is deceased
If the father is deceased and no sample exists, grandparent DNA testing (paternal grandparents versus child) can establish paternity to SSA's satisfaction. Contact our team to coordinate.
Filing with SSA
The lab-signed report is submitted with SSA Form SS-5 or the survivor benefit application. Local SSA offices generally accept the certified report as sufficient evidence.