My mother died 5 months ago and I took over my little sister who’s 16 and she was already receiving Survivor benefits From my dad who died 13 years ago . I just recently lost my grandma 3 weeks ago who was my biggest help and now I have to take care of two 16 years old by myself I have my cousin with me . I want to apply for food stamps to gives us a extra help until I get everything together since this is all new to me and happens so soon. I only work part time as a afterschool teacher .

My mother died 5 months ago and I took over my little sister who’s 16 and she was already receiving Survivor benefits From my dad who died 13 years ago . I just recently lost my grandma 3 weeks ago who was my biggest help and now I have to take care of two 16 years old by myself I have my cousin with me . I want to apply for food stamps to gives us a extra help until I get everything together since this is all new to me and happens so soon. I only work part time as a afterschool teacher .

I turned 66 in Dec. 2017, I have an 18 year old child graduating high school in June 2018. I have not yet enrolled to take any benefits. I would like to retroactively take my benefits and child benefits and then suspend, letting my benefit compound until I am 70. Considering my child graduates in June, when and how should I file and for how many months will we be paid. Thanks

Hi,

My ex wife and I both receive SSDI benefits.
We have one dependent child under the age of 18.
Should we be receiving SSDI benefits based on both my and my ex wife's combined benefit amount.

Hi,

You and your ex-wife can each draw the SSDI rate that you are due based on your own earnings, and the most that your child could be paid is 50% of the higher of a) your full SSDI rate, or b) your ex-wife's full SSDI rate.

Best, Jerry

Hi. I am 64 with multiple sclerosis and recieiving SSDI mof $1,041 this current year. I just watched a TV court show involving a 21 year old woman who had been (her mother as guardian) receiving SSDI since the girll was age 5. The monthly sum was $1700. What? How does this happen when I worked over 30 years and get no more than the $1041? I don't believe there is anything I can do about my monthly amount but it sure gives me leaven for complaint.

Hi,

I've been collect SSA since I was 62 years old. Now I'm almost 66. When I applied for SSA, no one told me that I can collect benefit for my kid. At that time she was 3 years old. I also never receive any papers that indicated I could collect. Now a friend of my just apply for SSA, they told him that he can claim benefit for his child until 18. I found this out when he told me. I really don't know this before. I'm going to see SSA agency in the next 10 days. If this is true, can I request to collect SSA for my kid benefit since 4 years ago? as a prorate (lump sum) until today?

My husband (age 68 )and I (age 67) have just adopted our two year old granddaughter. His social security-formerly disability is more than double mine. When I report this to social security, what should I expect, or what should I tell them that I want?
Thanks,
Diane

Hi Diane,

Can a child's social security benefits be revoked due to a parent being noncompliant with school requirements, such as: not attending meetings, failure to give child prescribed medication, or truancy?

Hi,

No. However, for a child's benefits to continue when they turn age 18, the child must either be disabled or attending secondary school (e.g. high school) on a full-time basis.

Best, Jerry

I'm getting ready to apply for my Social Security benefits at 62. I am the legal guardian of my grand-nephew (my sister's grandchild). We both live with my mother, who currently can claim both of us as a dependents (I'm one of the long-tern underemployed). My ward's parents are still alive -- one is in prison & one is receiving SS disability income for mental illness/drug use. Should I apply to get benefits for my ward (if he's entitled from his Mom's disability) as a representative or would it be best for me to formally adopt my grand-nephew?

Is my 13 yr old grandson eligible for benefits if my husband and I adopt him..We are his biological grandparents.

Hi,

Probably, assuming that either you or your husband (or both) are receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits.

Best, Jerry