I AM LOOKING TO RETIRE AT 62 ON SOCIAL SECURITY,I HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF MY GRAND-DAUGHTER SINCE BIRTH,SHE HAS LIVED WITH ME HER WHOLE LIFE.HER MOTHER AND FATHER ARE NOT MARRIED AND NEITHER OF THEM LIVE WITH ME.SHE GET HEALTH INSURE FROM MEDICARE THROUGH WAREFARE,BECAUSE HER MOTHER DOES NOT WORK AND THE FATHER PAYS 500.00 A MONTH TO MOTHER FOR CHILD SUPPORT.BUT I PROVIDE A HOME FOR HER AND TAKE CARE OF HER.I DONT HAVE CUSTODY OF HER.
WOULD I BE ABLE TO COLLECT ANY SOCIAL SECURITY FOR HER WHEN I GO ON SOCIAL SECURITY,UNTIL SHES 18.IF I HAD TO ADOPT HER TO COLLECT,WOULD SHE GET ANY MEDICARE INSURANCE OR WOULD I HAVE TO BUY HER INSURANCE.I AM THE ONLY PERSON IN HOME THAT WORKS,MY WIFE DOES NOT WORK

Hi,

Your granddaughter could only qualify for child's benefits on your record if you adopt her, or if both of her natural parent's are deceased or disabled. Even if you do adopt her and she becomes eligible for Social Security child's benefits on your record, she would not be eligible for Medicare, although she could become eligible for Medicare at age 18 if she is disabled. I'm assuming that what she has now is Medicaid rather than Medicare. Medicaid is a needs based program, so I can't tell you whether or not she would still qualify for that if you adopt her.

Best, Jerry