Dear Larry,

I'm a 44 year old working single mom of a 5 year old child. We live with my mom. I have never collected child support. Is there any Social Security benefits that would be available to me?
Stacey

Hi,

It doesn't sound like it. You would have to be disabled in order to qualify for Social Security benefits based on your own work record prior to age 62, and the only way that you could currently be eligible for benefits on the record of a spouse or former spouse is if they are deceased or drawing Social Security benefits and your child qualifies for benefits on their record. Your child couldn't qualify for Social Security benefits on a parent's record unless the parent is either deceased or drawing Social Security benefits.

Best, Jerry