Orlando social security attorney

Q: Can my children obtain SS benefits under my account if they do not live at home with me?

If your children do not live with you, their ability to obtain benefits will depend on the specific relationship you share with them. In order to be eligible for social security benefits, your child must depend on you financially. 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
• He or she is your natural but illegitimate child for whom a judge has issued a determination of support, or for whom you make regular financial contributions.

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)
• Previous tax returns in which you claimed the child as a dependent
• Bank records, cancelled checks, etc., showing that you made regular payments on behalf of or in support of your child
• Other proofs