Social Security Benefits for Children of Unmarried Parents
The Social Security Administration provides benefits for a variety of people in need, based on their qualifications and living requirements. Some of these benefit structures apply to children. If you are an unmarried parent, your children might be eligible to receive the same government benefits that they would be eligible to receive if you were married. Your children's benefits vary depending on their age and eligibility. These benefits include Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits and Survivor Benefits.
SSD vs. Survivor Benefits
Social Security Disability benefits are paid while a person is still alive and Survivor Benefits are paid if she dies before the retirement age. Another difference between the two programs is the amount of benefits the children are eligible to receive. Supplemental Security Income benefits are available to the disabled children of unmarried parents who have never paid Social Security tax.
Parents' Conditions
You must meet specific conditions for your children to be eligible for these government benefits. First, you must be entitled to receive Social Security benefits. Second, you must have already retired or you must be receiving SSD benefits. Your children can only receive Survivor Benefits after your death and if you worked long enough (usually at least ten years) and paid Social Security tax.
Children's Eligibility
In addition to the conditions that apply to an unmarried parent, the children must also meet certain requirements to collect these public benefits. A child must be unmarried and younger than age 18. If the child is younger than 19 years old but is still a full time student, she may be eligible to receive benefits. A disabled child who is older than age 18 can also qualify to receive Social Security benefits if the disability started before he was 22.
Supplemental Security Income
If you are an unmarried parent who lives alone with your child, you must know that there is also a limit to the amount you and your child can receive together. Your benefit amount is used to determine how much your child can receive, but your benefit is not actually reduced by this. If you are disabled or you have retired, your child can receive half of your total retirement or disability amount. In case of a deceased unmarried parent, a child can receive up to 75 percent of the total benefit amount. As a family, your and your child's benefits cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of your total benefit amount.
SSD vs. Survivor Benefits
Social Security Disability benefits are paid while a person is still alive and Survivor Benefits are paid if she dies before the retirement age. Another difference between the two programs is the amount of benefits the children are eligible to receive. Supplemental Security Income benefits are available to the disabled children of unmarried parents who have never paid Social Security tax.
Parents' Conditions
You must meet specific conditions for your children to be eligible for these government benefits. First, you must be entitled to receive Social Security benefits. Second, you must have already retired or you must be receiving SSD benefits. Your children can only receive Survivor Benefits after your death and if you worked long enough (usually at least ten years) and paid Social Security tax.
Children's Eligibility
In addition to the conditions that apply to an unmarried parent, the children must also meet certain requirements to collect these public benefits. A child must be unmarried and younger than age 18. If the child is younger than 19 years old but is still a full time student, she may be eligible to receive benefits. A disabled child who is older than age 18 can also qualify to receive Social Security benefits if the disability started before he was 22.
Supplemental Security Income
If you are an unmarried parent who lives alone with your child, you must know that there is also a limit to the amount you and your child can receive together. Your benefit amount is used to determine how much your child can receive, but your benefit is not actually reduced by this. If you are disabled or you have retired, your child can receive half of your total retirement or disability amount. In case of a deceased unmarried parent, a child can receive up to 75 percent of the total benefit amount. As a family, your and your child's benefits cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of your total benefit amount.
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