Is Your Child Eligible for Social Security Benefits?

More Social Security benefits are given to children than to any other social group. Children are eligible for social security benefits under the account of a parent, step parent, or foster parent that is either disabled or retired (and therefore eligible for Social Security benefits). Children can also be eligible for benefits under the account of their guardian if he or she has died after working and paying enough social security taxes to earn benefits.
Children can receive benefits if they are:
• Not married, • Under 18 years of age, • 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?
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. A child is automatically considered financially dependent on you, regardless of where he or she resides, in the following cases:
• The child is your legitimate, natural 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 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 childs financial dependence upon you by providing:
• Evidence that the child is eligible as your dependent under other programs (state and federal) • 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
In the case of a stepchild, however, the child is considered financially dependent on you (and therefore eligible for benefits) only if he or she lives with you in a parent child relationship. As a guideline, your husband or wifes legitimate child, adopted child, or illegitimate child will be considered your step child. Even after divorcing your step childs natural parent (that is, your husband or wife) or after his or her death, the child will be considered financially dependent upon you and therefore eligible for benefits as long as he or she resides in your home and shares with you a child parent 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. If you do this, you child will not be entitled to social security benefits under your account.

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