Social Security Rights for Adopted Children

Social Security benefits are available to all children of disabled, retired or deceased parents or guardians who have worked in the United States workforce and accumulated social security benefits. The benefits are paid under the Social Security Retirement, Survivor's Benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Children of SSDI benefit recipients have the five month waiting period waived.

  1. Eligibility

    • Several eligibility requirements have been established for children to receive Social Security benefits. The child must be a natural child, stepchild, adopted child or dependent grandchild of the individual who was receiving the benefits. The child must be unmarried and under the age of 18. A child can be 18 or 19 years of age and receive benefits he is attending a secondary school on a full-time basis. A child that is disabled or becomes disabled before the age of 22 can receive Children's Social Security benefits.

    Adopted Children Qualifications

    • Social Security benefits can be paid to adopted children even if they are adopted after the parent is receiving Social Security benefits. A step-grandchild can receive Social Security benefits from a grandparent. The stipulation here is if the step-grandchild begins living with the step-grandparents after they are receiving benefits, they will have to adopt the child before they can get Children's Social Security.

    Foreign Born

    • Children who are adopted from another country have the same rights as children born in the United States. The child must be a natural child, stepchild, adopted child or dependent grandchild of the individual who was receiving the benefits. The child must be unmarried and under the age of 18. A child can be 18 or 19 years of age and receive benefits he is attending a secondary school on a full-time basis. A child that is disabled or becomes disabled before the age of 22 can receive Children's Social Security benefits.

    Auxilary Benefits

    • Adopted children can receive Auxiliary Benefits from Social Security according to code 20 CFR 404.336. This code specifically states that a child is qualified if he is legally adopted by the individual insured. This includes if the spouse adopts the child after the insured has passed.

    Applying

    • Applying for Social Security benefits is the same for every child whether they are adopted, natural, stepchild or grandchild. Documents required to receive Social Security benefits for a child include the birth certificate and the Social Security number of the deceased, disabled or retired worker. Phone the local Social Security office for any other required documentation for individual states.

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