Find Out If Your Child Qualifies for Social Security Benefits

The Social Security Administration provides more benefits to children than to any other 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 are eligible for Social Security benefits when they are:

• Single, • Under 18, • Or, 18 to 19 years old and still attending elementary or secondary school full time, • Or, over the age of 18 and disabled before the age of 22.

Q: Can my children obtain SS benefits under my account if they do not live at home with me?

If your children do not live with you, their ability to obtain benefits will depend on the specific relationship you share 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:

• Evidence that the child is eligible as your dependent under other programs (state and federal) • Previous tax returns in which you claimed the child as a dependent • Bank records, cancelled checks, etc., showing that you made regular payments on behalf of or in support of your child • Other evidence of the child's dependence

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.

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Info concerning social security disability, see www.HillandPonton.com
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