Can A Grandchild Draw Survivor Benefits

In today's complicated globe, there are many cases where a grandparent is the primary person responsible for a minor grandchild. The reasons are far and wide; regardless, many times the primary support for a modest child comes from an grandparent. If the grandparent in question is receiving Social Security benefits, can a grandchild also get Social Security?

After all, nosotros know that the small-scale child of a parent who is receiving Social Security benefits may exist eligible for child's benefits, so why would it be whatsoever different with a grandparent?

The primary difference is in the relationship. The Social Security rules are written specifically to provide benefits for a modest child of a Social Security recipient. And the pocket-size child (under age 18 or under age 19 while still in loftier schoolhouse, or disabled) must either be

the natural (biological) child of the parent
the adopted child of the parent
the stepchild of the parent

In the case of a grandchild, unless the grandparent has taken the actress step to legally adopt the grandchild, the child nosotros're referring to here does non fit any of those descriptions. Notwithstanding, depending on the reason that the grandparent is the primary support for the child, there may exist benefits bachelor.

In addition, the modest kid in question must be receiving at to the lowest degree half back up from the grandparent, and must reside with the grandparent.

If adoption is non in order, the reason why the parent is non in the picture for support and care is important. If the parent is unable, physically or mentally, to intendance for the kid, then the parent might exist considered disabled for Social Security purposes, for case. This could open the door for the parent to receive Social Security Disability benefits (potentially making benefits bachelor to the child). Otherwise, the grandchild could become eligible for benefits on the grandparent's record.

The grandparent may become the de facto guardian of the minor child in the instance of the death or disability of the parent, just in those cases the parent's own record would provide for either survivor benefits or kid's benefits (in the case of disability of the parent).

The definitive way to resolve this is for the grandparent to adopt the grandchild. This would qualify the minor kid for benefits based on the grandparent's record, for sure, with no questions.

However, if the parent of the child is either disabled or deceased, the child may also get eligible for benefits based on the grandparents' record, as long as the support and residence requirements are met. This eligibility volition exist weighed confronting benefits that the child may be eligible for based on his or her own parents' record(s) (the record of the child of the grandparent).

The best manner to resolve this is to consult Social Security about your situation. It'south very possible that a minor grandchild could be eligible for benefits based on your Social Security tape, merely Social Security volition take to make the final determination for you.