Are My Children Eligible for Social Security Benefits?
More Social Security benefits are given to children than to any other social group. Children can receive social security benefits under the account of a guardian (that is, a parent, step parent, or foster parent), that is either disabled or eligible for Social Security due to retirement. They are also eligible if said guardian has died after paying social security taxes a long enough period to qualify their survivors for benefits.
Children can receive benefits if they are:
• Single,
• Less than 18 years old,
• Or are between 18 and 19 years of age, but still a full time student in elementary or secondary school,
• Or, over the age of 18 and disabled before the age of 22.
Q: But, will my children receive social security benefits even if they do not live with me?
Whether or not your children can receive benefits will depend on your specific relationship with them. For a child to be able to obtain benefits under your social security account, he or she must be financially dependent upon you. A child is automatically considered financially dependent on you, regardless of where he or she resides, in the following cases:
• He or she is your legitimate child
• He or she is your adopted child
• The child is your natural, recognized, but unlegitimized child, and either a court has made a determination of support, or you regularly contribute financially to support the child.
If a court has not officially made a determination of support for a recognized natural child that does not live with you, you can show that child’s financial dependency upon you by providing:
• Paperwork showing that your child is qualifies as your dependant in other state and federal programs
• Old W2s and other tax forms showing that you claimed your child as a dependent
• Records that you made periodic payments for the child
• Additional related proofs
Financial dependability (and eligibility for social security benefits) of a stepchild, on the other hand, will only determined when that child lives with you and shares with you a parent and child relationship. Generally, your spouse’s legitimate natural child, legally adopted child, or illegitimate natural child will be considered a step child. This step child will remain eligible for benefits after the death of or divorce from their natural parent (your spouse), as long as the child continues to live with you in a regular parent and child relationship.
In any of the above cases, you can provide proof of your relationship to your child. If you choose, you can also provide proof that you do not live with or contribute financially to the support of your child. This will make the child ineligible for benefits.