- Children are entitled to Social Security benefits off of their parents' records until they turn 18 years of age. They can still receive benefits until 19 if they are still in secondary schools. However, children are required to submit forms signed by school administrators to verify their enrollments. If children suffer disabilities before turning 22 years of age, they can receive Social Security benefits into their adult years.
- Social Security benefit amounts paid to children vary by program. The Social Security retirement and disability programs pay benefits amounting to 50 percent of their parents' full benefit rates. The Social Security survivors program pays up to 75 percent. Children are entitled to $255 special lump-sum death benefits from the survivors program as well.
- The time for children's Social Security benefits to be reported to the Internal Revenue Service is if they're working and their earnings combined with their benefits exceed $25,000 per year, as of 2011. If their incomes exceed this limit, up to 50 percent of their Social Security benefits are taxed at normal income tax rates.
- The Supplemental Security Income program distributes monthly benefits to children if they meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disability. This includes having disabilities lasting for longer than one year and if they are working, they cannot make more than $1,000 per month. Children's eligibility also depends on the income and resources of the parents. However, for taxation purposes, children's SSI benefits are not included as part of the parents' incomes. In fact, the IRS states that SSI payments are nontaxable and do not have to be reported.
Eligibility
Benefit Amounts
Tax
Supplemental Security Income
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