Benefits can continue beyond 18

In most cases, children's social security or S-S-I benefits are payable only until age 18. However, there are several situations where benefits may continue beyond 18. For example, suppose a child is the dependent of someone who's drawing retirement or disability pay, or of a parent who has died. If that child is a full-time elementary or high school student, they may continue to receive benefits until age 19. Another case where benefits might continue, is when the child is disabled. These are known as benefits for adults disabled since childhood. To be eligible, you must have a parent who is receiving retirement or disability, or who has died. Also, your disability must have begun before you turned 22. There are still other situations where a disabled child who could not receive S-S-I before 18, because their parents' income was too high, may be able to get benefits after age 18. That's because when a child turns 18, and lives on their own, the parent's assets no longer affect their ability to qualify for S-S-I. To find out more about benefits that may be paid past age 18, contact the social security office.