WHY DO I NOT RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR MY SON?
Q) I RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY FOR MY SELF BECAUSE OF BEING DISABLED, BUT I HAVE A 10 YR.OLD SON. WHY DO I NOT RECEIVE SOMETHING FOR HIM AS WELL? AND IF I SHOULD BE HOW DO I GET THOSE CHANGES MADE AND SHOULD’NT I RECEIVE BACK PAY FOR THE TIME I’VE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FOR HIM?
A) According to Social Security Administration: When you qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, your children may also qualify to receive benefits on your record. Your eligible child can be your biological child, adopted child or stepchild. A dependent grandchild may also qualify.
To receive benefits, the child must:
be unmarried; and
be under age 18; or
be 18-19 years old and a full-time student (no higher than grade 12); or
be 18 or older and disabled from a disability that started before age 22.
Normally, benefits stop when children reach age 18 unless they are disabled. However, if the child is still a full-time student at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, benefits will continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child becomes age 19, whichever is first.
Benefits paid for your child will not decrease your retirement benefit. In fact, the value of the benefits he or she may receive, added to your own, may help you decide if taking your benefits sooner may be more advantageous.
See Application