Filing for child. SS Benefits

[mobilehomesoutheast]

My child received approximately between $5,000 and $8,000 in social security benefits for 2021.

I assume this is unearned income, and since it exceeds $1,100, will he need to file a tax return, even though he has no other income or earnings, and would owe no federal taxes on it?  Fyi, the state we live in does not  tax social security earnings. Thanks. 

[MinhT1]

If your son has no other income apart from the SS benefits, he does not have to file a tax return.

Unearned income includes all forms of investment income, including interest, dividends, most rent and royalty income. It also includes capital gains—the profit you make when you sell something for more than what you paid for it.