Can Your Children Get Social Security Benefits?
Q: Can my children obtain SS benefits under my account if they do not live at home with me?
Whether or not your children can receive benefits will depend on your specific relationship with them. In order to be eligible for social security benefits, your child must depend on you financially. Whether they live with you or not, your child will automatically be considered your financial dependent if you share any of the following relationships with them:
• The child is your legitimate, natural child
• He or she is your adopted child
• He or she is your natural but illegitimate child for whom a judge has issued a determination of support, or for whom you make regular financial contributions.
If you have a recognized, illegitimate child who does not reside in your home, and for whom a judge has not made an official determination of support, you can give evidence of that child’s financial dependence upon you by providing:
• Paperwork showing that your child is qualifies as your dependant in other state and federal programs
• Previous tax returns in which you claimed the child as a dependent
• Records that you made periodic payments for the child
• Other evidence of the child’s dependence
