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 can receive benefits if they are:
• Single,
• Less than 18 years old,
• 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: 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. 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
• The child is your legally 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 child’s financial dependence 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
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. 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. If you do this, you child will not be entitled to social security benefits under your account.
Can I get partial disability through SSA?
No, people with partial or short term disabilities are not eligible for disability benefits through Social Security. You are eligible for social security benefits only if you are deemed completely disabled and your disability is likely to last a year or more. (Note that if you qualify for disability benefits, you may hold down a job as long as your maximum possible income is beneath a level determined by SSA. )
Although I am still working, I cannot work the same hours or skill level that I used to, and my income has dropped as a result. Am I still eligible for social security benefits?
Yes, if your income is lower than a certain SSA determined level, you are eligible to file for disability benefits.
Even if you can pay for those things now, you need to have a financial cushion should your claim take a year or two. Try to put savings away for the sole purpose of supporting you through the long wait that may happen with your social security disability application. Some claimants restructure their financial obligations to help them through. Some gas and electric companies have aid programs for those with limited income to help pay for winter heating bills. Refinancing a mortgage or other loan to free up funds can be an option.
That is because most cases are again denied after being reconsidered. And the next step would be to appeal to have your claim heard before an administrative judge. The hearing is your last chance to have your case considered. That is why most claimants have an advocate like a social security attorney at this point. Although a social security attorney is not required for any step in the process, it is extremely beneficial to have the expertise of an attorney during a hearing.
Helpful information.
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Sound familiar? Well, you are not the only one feeling frustration with the process. Here are some basic questions that we hear a lot and a few simple straight forward answers to those questions. Hopefully this will help you decide what your next step is going to be or at least where to look for help.
The question we probably hear more than any other is “How are Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income different? This is a good question because there is a big difference in the two. Social Security Disability is known as SSD and Supplemental Security Income is known as SSI.