Q: Can my children obtain SS benefits under my account if they do not live at home with me?
Whether or not your children can receive benefits will depend on your specific relationship with them. For a child to be able to obtain benefits under your social security account, he or she must be financially dependent upon you. Whether they live with you or not, your child will automatically be considered your financial dependent if you share any of the following relationships with them:
• The child is your legitimate, natural child
• The child is your legally adopted child
• The child is your natural, recognized, but unlegitimized child, and either a court has made a determination of support, or you regularly contribute financially to support the child.
If a court has not officially made a determination of support for a recognized natural child that does not live with you, you can show that child’s financial dependency upon you by providing:
• Evidence that the child is eligible as your dependent under other programs (state and federal)
• Old W2s and other tax forms showing that you claimed your child as a dependent
• Records that you made periodic payments for the child
• Additional related proofs
