Guide to Social Security Benefits for Children

Social Security benefits for children are available and can be provided in different ways. Adults may believe that children are only available to qualify for Social Security (SS) if they are disabled or if their parents pass away. However, this is not always true. In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes it possible for children to collect benefits if their parents receive SS retirement.

If you want to collect Social Security benefits for kids, there are specific criteria your dependents need to meet. Usually, this relates to how old your children are, if they are in school and their marriage status. It is important to be aware of these eligibility factors so you know whether your children qualify for Social Security retirement benefits.

Social Security Eligibility for Children

Social Security benefits for dependent children are available to those who meet certain requirements. These eligibility requirements include:

• Unmarried children who are younger than 18 years of age.
• Unmarried children who are between 18 and 19 years of age and who are full-time students who have not yet completed grade 12.

Additionally, at least one of the child’s parents need to be collecting Social Security retirement benefits.

Are children’s Social Security benefits taxable?

Depending on how much they earn, Social Security benefits for dependent children may be taxable. When workers earn a certain amount of income, they are required to file taxes annually. During this time, filers need to report any supplemental earnings they receive, including SS benefits. As a result, children who earn enough to file taxes need to claim their Social Security funds when they file.

Can my family qualify for retroactive Social Security benefits for children?

If you have a child and already receive benefits through your Social Security office, you may not be aware that your dependent could also receive funding. You may be wondering if you could be compensated with retroactive Social Security benefits for your children for the time you received SS and they did not. However, you would need to make a convincing case to prove to the SSA that you should be awarded these funds. You must file a claim if you want to attempt to receive these benefits.

How much Social Security benefits for children is available?

The amount of collectable Social Security for children whose parents are retired varies. This is because the funds that children are eligible for are based on how much their parents receive in SS. In fact, children whose parents receive Social Security retirement benefits are eligible to collect half of the amount their parents receive.