Social Security benefits are not just for older Americans but also extend to granting essential financial assistance to deserving children and students. Although most people relate these benefits to elderly Americans, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has provisions to cover younger dependents under certain conditions. Knowing the eligibility criteria and benefit calculation can assist families in receiving this valuable financial assistance.
Eligibility criteria for children
Children are eligible for Social Security benefits if they have a retired, disabled, or deceased parent who receives Social Security benefits. The child must be under the age of 18 and unmarried, or aged 18-19 and a full-time elementary or secondary school student (grade 12 or below).
Eligibility is offered to adopted children, biological children, and step-children. Under the terms, grandchildren or step-grandchildren may be provided with survivor benefits too. The child will only be eligible if their parent labored long enough to gain Social Security credits sufficient to be qualified on their own for benefits.
Survivor benefits are available to children of deceased workers until age 18, or 19 if they remain in elementary or secondary school. The benefits can give up to 75% of the deceased parent’s basic Social Security benefit.
Special provisions for disabled children
Impaired children have options for getting benefits. A child is eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a special program run by the Social Security Administration, if the child has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that creates “marked and severe functional limitations.”
To be eligible for SSI disability benefits:
- The impairment must be expected to continue for 12 months or to cause death
- There is no age limit; entitlement can start as early as at birth
- Family of the child must have less resources and earnings
Also, those who turned disabled at ages younger than 22 can qualify to receive compensation as adults, provided the impairment continues. Adult children may qualify to receive part of a parent’s disability or retirement benefit or a deceased parent’s benefit amounting to as much as 50% or 75%.
Benefits for students
Social Security benefits for students are reserved for special situations. Full-time elementary and secondary students between the ages of 18 and 19 years may be eligible on the death, disability, or retirement of a parent. Students in college are generally not eligible based solely on student status.
School-leaving age and above workers in employment must sign up with Social Security and be assigned a social insurance number, particularly if earning over the lower earnings limit. This ensures that contributions can be recorded and eligibility for benefits in the future.
Student bursaries on the cost of courses might not be considered income when determining benefits in certain jurisdictions, subject to certain conditions being satisfied. This ensures that students do not forfeit benefits during the duration of educational grants.
Benefit levels and family limits
They normally get half of a parent’s full retirement or disability benefit. Upon the death of a parent, they are eligible to receive up to 75% of the parent’s basic Social Security benefit as survivor benefits.
However, there are ceiling limits on how much benefit all the families combined can receive. The “family maximum benefit” usually can be from 150% to 180% of the initial beneficiary’s payment. If the sum approaches this level, each of the family members’ benefits (except for that of the large recipient) is reduced proportionately until it reaches the maximum amount allowed.
Process of application
Application for Social Security child benefit entails paperwork with the following items included:
- The birth certificate or proof of birth/adoption of the child
- The Social Security number of the child
- The Social Security number of the parent
Other documents may be required based on situations, including evidence of the death of the parent for survivor benefits or medical records for disability benefits.
Unlike the majority of Social Security applications, you cannot do the entire process online for children’s benefits. You will have to call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 and make an appointment with an agent who will walk you through the application process.
Social Security provides substantial help for deserving children and students through many benefit programs. Knowledge of the eligibility rules, application process, and benefits computation can help families receive this needed money when it’s required. In the form of a parent’s retirement, disability, or death, or because of a child’s disability, they serve as an important security blanket for young Americans.
