Can children’s benefits continue beyond age 18?

There are several situations where benefits may continue beyond 18.

If the child is a full-time elementary or high school student, he or she may continue to receive benefits until age 19.

If the child is disabled, and his income and resources are low enough, he or she might be eligible for SSI. Once a child turns 18, his parent’s resources and income are not counted against him or her, so it often happens that this option becomes available for the first time at age 18.

If the child is disabled, he or she might also continue to get benefits under his or her parent’s record. To receive benefits, the adult child must be the son or daughter of someone who is getting Social Security retirement or disability benefits, or of someone who has died, and the child’s disability must have started before age twenty-two.

For more information call the Administration at 1-800-772-1213