CSA Chapter 22
How is the SSDI benefits determined?
>The amount of SSDI benefits is determined using a formula similar to the one used for calculating Social Security retirement benefits. >Generally, combined Social Security and other disability-related payments cannot exceed 80 percent of the beneficiary's average current earnings before he or she was deemed disabled.
What are the Representative Payee duties?
>Uses the benefit funds to pay for the beneficiary's current and foreseeable needs >Properly saves any excess funds >Gives a required periodic report to the SSA of how benefits were spent or saved >Must never mingle their funds with the beneficiary's funds (set up separate bank accounts) >Is usually not paid for their services
Who can be an Organizational Representative Payee?
>Organizational representative payees include social services agencies, institutions, or an official of a state or local government agency or financial organization. >Some organizational payees, called fee-for-service payees, are permitted to charge the beneficiary a fee. The payee must apply and be approved before being able to collect a fee.
What is a Represtative Payee as it relates to Social Security or SSI?
A representative payee is an individual or organization that receives Social Security or SSI payments on behalf of a person who cannot manage their benefits money or direct someone else to manage it. A representative payee must be appointed by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, a disability must be ________ A. Physical but not mental B. Medically determined C. Expected to last continuaously for at least six months
B. Medically determined To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, a disability 1) may be either physical or mental, 2) must be medically determined, 3) must be expected to last continuously for at least one year or result in an early death, and 4) must result in the inability to work for at least one year.
Jim receives a monthly Social Security benefit of $800. His wife, Robin, receives a monthly benefit of $1,400. Based on this information, Jim should claim his Social Security benefit under his own work record. (T/F)
Because half of Robin's benefit ($700) is less than what Jim receives, he should claim Social Security under his own work record. Jim and Robin make a total of $2,200 a month from Social Security.
To receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), an applicant needs to have paid FICA and SECA taxes.
False Because SSI is exclusively needs-based, applicants need not have paid any FICA or SECA taxes to qualify for benefits.
Social Security retirement benefits are reduced for a person at full retirement age who continues to work for earned income.
False Social Security retirement benefits are not reduced once a person reaches full retirement age and continues to work for earned income.
A divorced person can draw Social Security benefits from their ex-spouse's record if they were married for five years or more. (T/F)
False A divorced person can draw benefits on an ex-spouse's work record only if they were married for ten years and the divorced person has not remarried.
Individuals who receive Social Security disability benefits are ineligible for Medicare until they turn 65.
False. Beneficiaries who receive Social Security disability benefits for 24 months (two years) are eligible for benefits under Medicare, regardless of age, beginning the 25th month after SSDI is approved.
Is a Representative Payee the same as being POA?
No.
What are the eligiblity requirements for Dependent Parents for Social Security?
Parents of a deceased primary beneficiary can receive survivor benefits if they are at least 62 years old and depended on the primary beneficiary for at least half their support.
What is the Maximum Family Benefit as it relates to Social Secuirty?
The maximum family benefit is generally between 150 and 180 percent of the primary beneficiary's full retirement benefit. If the total amount payable to all family members exceeds this amount, each person's benefit is reduced proportionately (except the primary beneficiary's).
Can you earn credits if you retire after your actual retirement age?
Yes. >If someone whose full retirement age is 66 waits 12 months to start collecting retirement benefits, the person will get 108 percent of the monthly benefit he or she would have gotten at full retirement age. >If the person delays starting benefits until age 70, he or she would get 132 percent of the monthly benefit—the maximum increase available. NOTE: If a worker elects to work past age 70, the monthly benefit does not increase after that point.
Who can be an Individual Representative Payee?
An individual representative payee could be someone the beneficiary lives with; or a family member or friend who does not live with the beneficiary; or a lawyer, legal guardian, or volunteer for a government or nonprofit agency.
How do applicants apply for Social Security?
Applicants can apply for Social Security retirement benefits online, by phone (1-800-772-1213), or in person at a local Social Security office (after calling first to make an appointment). >NOTE: Online is best. > Takes about six weeks between application and theh applicant receiving benefits.
How do you establish the Protective Filing Date?
1. Send a written notice that clearly states their intent to file for disability within the next six months. The statement should be signed by the applicant, a qualified third party (e.g., a guardian), or an SSA employee. 2. If filing for disability online, include the date they completed the Internet claim applicant identification screen and received an application number. 3. File the application within six months of the date they send or submit the letter. Applicants who fail to apply during this six-month period lose their protective filing date.
Beneficiaries who receive Social Security disability benefits for ____1___ ____2____ are eligible for benefits under Medicare, regardless of age, beginning the 25th month after SSDI is approved.
>24 Months/2 Years >Beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease or Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) are eligible to receive Medicare immediately. >Some people do not pay FICA or SECA taxes but they pay Medicare taxes. These individuals are not eligible for SSDI benefits. Eligibility for Medicare before age 65 is based on the same definition of disability that applies for SSDI and SSI benefits.
Who appoints a Representative Payee?
>A representative payee must be appointed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). >A representative payee has legal authority only to negotiate and manage a beneficiary's Social Security or SSI payments. >Being a representative payee is not the same as having a power of attorney, being an authorized representative, or sharing a joint bank account with the beneficiary.
How does the SSA determine the amount of the SSI benefit standard?
>Each year, the SSA determines the amount of the SSI benefit standard (a percentage of the federal poverty level, updated annually). >Some states supplement the federal SSI benefit. >Other factors that affect the benefit calculation include the applicant's income and living arrangement.
What is the Windfall Offset?
>In addition to the SSI federal benefit, an applicant can receive up to two months of back pay to the protective filing date if the SSA determines the individual was disabled as of that date. NOTE: In addition to the SSI federal benefit, an applicant can receive up to two months of back pay to the protective filing date if the SSA determines the individual was disabled as of that date.
What are the eligiblity requirmemts for a Divorced Spouse to claim Social Security (OASI)?
>Marriage lasted at least 10 years. >Divorced spouse is age 62 or older. >Divorced spouse is not married when filing for benefits. >Divorced spouse's own retirement benefit is less than the spousal benefit. >Primary beneficiary is eligible for or claiming Social Security. NOTE: Retirement benefits paid to a divorced spouse do not affect the retirement benefits paid to a primary beneficiary and his or her current spouse and do not affect the maximum family benefit.
What is the Length of the SSI Benefit?
>SI benefits continue until a beneficiary is no longer eligible. The SSA re-determines eligibility and benefit amounts of most beneficiaries every one to six years or whenever a beneficiary reports a change that affects eligibility or payment (e.g., change in living arrangement or death of a spouse). >Beneficiaries are responsible for reporting numerous changes in circumstances and a failure to do so in a timely and accurate manner may result in an underpayment of benefits, overpayment and a consequent penalty, or loss of benefits for a period.
What is the Government Pension Offset (GPO)?
>The Government Pension Offset (GPO) applies to those who are eligible for Social Security benefits as a spouse, divorced spouse, or widow(er) of a beneficiary who receives a government pension (or had foreign income) but did not pay Social Security taxes while employed. >The GPO ensures that spousal benefits for government employees who did not pay Social Security taxes are treated similarly to spousal benefits for workers in the private sector who did pay Social Security taxes. The GPO reduces the spousal or widow(er) Social Security benefits by two-thirds of the amount of the government pension.
What are the eligiblity requirements for a Widow(er) for Social Security?
>Widow(er)s and qualified surviving divorced spouses who have reached full retirement age are entitled to the full amount of their late spouse's retirement benefits if it exceeds their own benefit amount. >Example: Marie is at her full retirement age and is receiving a $700 benefit on her own Social Security record. Her husband, Peter, recently passed away. Before his death, he had been receiving a monthly Social Security benefit of $1,000. Now, Marie will receive $1,000 based on Peter's benefit. >Widow(er)s and qualified surviving divorced spouses can receive a reduced benefit starting at age 60 (50 if disabled before or within seven years of the worker's death). They can take the reduced benefit on one work record and, when they reach full retirement age, switch to the full retirement benefit on the other record. Rules vary based on individual situations, so they should talk about their options with Social Security or a qualified expert
What is the Protective Filing Date as it relates to SSDI?
Initiating the application process for SSDI benefits as soon as one becomes disabled establishes a protective filing date. This date is important. Because SSDI works like an insurance premium that is usually paid for through FICA or SECA deductions from a worker's salary, an individual who stops working due to a disability has no way to continue paying the "premium," and the SSDI coverage will eventually run out.
What are the eligiblity requirmemts for a Retired worker to claim Social Security (OASI)?
People qualify for Social Security retirement benefits by earning credits when they work in a job and pay Social Security taxes (FICA or SECA). To qualify, workers must be at least 62 years old and have 40 work credits.
What is the SSI Protective Filing Date?
SSI applicants should establish a protective filing date. This requires only that the applicant call or visit a local SSA office to inquire about SSI. Applying for SSI must be done either in person at the SSA office or in writing. The SSI application must be completed at the local Social Security office to verify the person's income and assets (because SSI is needs-based).
What are the eligiblity requirmemts for a Spouse to claim Social Security (OASI)?
To qualify, a spouse must be at least age 62 and the worker must have filed for Social Security retirement benefits. Spouses receive the higher of their own retirement benefit or the spousal benefit. The spousal benefit may be up to 50 percent of the worker's benefit. It is reduced if the spouse making the claim has not reached full retirement age. Example of how to determine spouse benefits: Spousal Benefit Example Jack and Diane are married; both are at full retirement age and ready to claim Social Security. Jack's benefit is $1,200 and Diane's is $700. Because half of Jack's benefit ($600) is less than what Diane receives, she claims Social Security under her own work record. Jack and Diane make a total of $1,900 a month from Social Security.
If a beneficiary is receiving SSDI benefits upon reaching full retirement age, the disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same. (T/F)
True
The amount of a worker's monthly Social Security benefit is directly related to the person's past earnings and the age at which the worker retires. (T/F)
True
Most older adults pay taxes on Social Security retirement and disability benefits. (T/F)
True About one-third of people who get Social Security benefits have to pay federal income taxes on a portion of their benefits because they receive other taxable income such as wages, self-employment income, interest, and dividends. Benefits are taxed at two levels based on a combined income threshold: up to 50 percent or up to 85 percent. No one pays taxes on more than 85 percent of their benefits.
Current or former spouses born before January 2, 1954, who are eligible and at full retirement age may collect the spousal benefit and delay their own retirement benefits. (T/F)
True NOTE: The delay will result in a higher monthly benefit for them when they file their own claim NOTE: This option to take only one retirement benefit at full retirement age no longer exists for current or former spouses born on January 2, 1954, or later; if these spouses file for one benefit, they will effectively be filing for all retirement or spousal benefits.
Unlike the recent work test, the duration of work test is not bound to a specific period. (T/F)
True. >Unlike the recent work test, the duration of work test is not bound to a specific period. >The age at which a worker becomes disabled determines how many years of work are required prior to disability to qualify for SSDI. For example, generally a worker age 60 must have worked for 9.5 years prior to the disability.
An individual must be disabled continuously for five full calendar months before Social Security disability benefits can be paid. (T/F)
True. SSDI benefits are paid only after the individual has been disabled continuously for five calendar months.
If widow(er)s and qualified surviving divorced spouses remarry after age 60 (50 if disabled), they are still eligible for survivor's benefits. (T/F)
True. NOTE: They may qualify for benefits based on the deceased spouse's work record or the new spouse's record, whichever is higher
Despite the increase in retirement age, the age for Medicare eligibility hasn't changed. (T/F)
True: Despite the increase in retirement age, the age for Medicare eligibility hasn't changed. Remind clients they should still sign up for Medicare three months before their 65th birthday.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) applies the following steps to calculate a worker's monthly Social Security benefit based on his or her earnings:
1. Earnings Index >>Because Social Security retirement benefits are based on a worker's highest 35 earnings years, the higher one's lifetime earnings, the higher the benefits. >>This benefit calculation is designed to give a higher percentage of earnings to lower-wage workers. >>SSA establishes minimum and maximum benefits for individuals and families. Everyone who qualifies for Social Security receives a minimum benefit. >>Individuals with very low Social Security benefits may also qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). >>There is no lifetime limit on individual benefits. 2. Highest Indexed Earnings Average 3. PIA Calculated (Primary Insurance Amount) 4. Benefit Earnings Details
Individuals who receive Social Security retirement and disability benefits (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance—OASDI) are eligible for ____1____. Those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are eligible for ____2____.
1. Medicare 2. Medicaid
What does Social Security use to protect the purchasing power of Social Security benefits from Inflation?
>>Consumer Price Index >>To protect the purchasing power of Social Security benefits from inflation, the amount of monthly benefits increases each January 1 if the cost of living, as measured by the U.S. Labor Department's Consumer Price Index (CPI), has increased from the last year a COLA was made to the current year. >>The amount of the adjusted benefit is determined by multiplying a worker's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)—the amount of monthly benefits at full retirement age—by the COLA and rounding down to the next lower dime. For example, if the initial PIA of $1,275.50 is increased by a 1.5 percent COLA, the new PIA would be $1,294.60 after reduction to the next lower dime.
When are SSDI Benefits Paid?
>SSDI benefits are paid only after the individual has been disabled continuously for five calendar months. >Applicants approved for SSDI can receive up to a year of retroactive benefits based on their protective filing date (or the date of their application if they didn't earlier notify the SSA of their intent to file a claim). >An applicant must have been disabled 17 months prior to the protective filing date or application date to receive a full year of retroactive benefits (5-month waiting period and the 12-month retroactive eligibility period).
What is the length of the SSDI benefit?
>SSDI benefits continue until the beneficiary is able to return to work or until retirement age if the individual cannot return to work. >If a beneficiary is receiving SSDI benefits upon reaching full retirement age, the disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same.
Who is eligible to get Survivor Beneits and how much?
>Survivor beneficiaries include widow(er)s, qualified divorced spouses, children, and dependent parents. >Survivor benefits generally vary from 75 to 100 percent of the deceased's basic Social Security retirement benefit (the maximum family benefit applies.) Benefits paid to a surviving divorced spouse do not affect the benefit rates for other survivors. In addition, a one-time death benefit of $255 can be paid to a surviving spouse or to minor children (if there is no spouse). >
What is the Windfall Elimination Provision?
>The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduces retirement or disability benefits if a recipient receives a pension from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes, typically a federal, state or local government agency or an employer in a foreign country. The formula used to figure the benefit is modified, resulting in a lower amount. >The amount that WEP reduces Social Security benefits is based on the: >>Income from the pension that did not pay Social Security taxes >>Amount of substantial earnings >>Duration of the beneficiary's actual coverage under Social Security
What is the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program?
>The federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a safety net for those with low incomes and limited financial resources, including adults age 65 or older and blind or disabled persons of any age. >SSI provides a monthly income to help recipients meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Because SSI is exclusively needs-based, applicants need not have paid any FICA or SECA taxes to qualify for benefits. >SSI beneficiaries must be legal residents of the United States and either a U.S. citizen or national or a qualified noncitizen, and they must not be absent from the country for a full calendar month or more (or 30 days or more).
SSDI is available to disabled workers who have:
>Worked under Social Security long enough to be fully insured. >>Only the 10 years prioer to the disability are considered. >>Number of work credits needed to quailify during the 10 year period depends on teh beneificiary's age when the person became disabled. >Worked recently enough to be currently insured. >>>Worker must have been substantially and gainfully employed and contributing to Social Security for at least five of the last 10 years before the disability, or for half the time between the worker's 21st birthday and the date of disability. >A medical condition that meets the SSA's definition of disability.
What does "sustain substantial gainful activity" mean in regards to employment?
A beneficiary who is able to sustain substantial gainful activity is not considered disabled. >Work is substantial if it involves significant mental and/or physical activities. It need not be performed full time. >Gainful activity is work performed for pay or profit or that is intended to make a profit, even if no profit is realized. A beneficiary who is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity may be eligible for SSDI. The amount of monthly earnings considered to be substantial gainful activity changes every year; see the SSA website for updates.
Under Social Security disability rules, substantial work is ________ A. Significant physical and/or mental activities B. Full-time only C. Limited to certain jobs
A. Significant physical and/or mental activities To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, a disability must result in the inability to do substantial and gainful work. Significant physical and/or mental activities, part- or full-time, are considered substantial work. There are no limits on the type of job or work.
Under Social Security disability rules, gainful work is for ________ A. Pay or no pay/profit (volunteer or pro bono) B. Pay or profit, only if a profit is made C. Pay or profit, even if no profit is made
C. Pay or profit, even if no profit is made To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, a disability must result in the inability to do substantial and gainful work. Work for pay or profit, even if no profit is made, is considered gainful work.
What are the eligiblity requirmemts for children to claim Social Security (OASI)?
Children must be: >Unmarried and either under age 18, a full-time student under age 19 no higher than grade 12 (benefits continue until graduation or two months after age 19, whichever comes first), >or 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22. >Dependent grandchildren may also qualify. NOTE: Each qualified child may receive up to 50 percent of the primary beneficiary's full retirement amount. The benefits that children receive do not reduce the primary beneficiary's benefit. NOTE: A child who works while receiving benefits is subject to the same earnings limits that apply to the primary beneficiary. Children's earnings affect only their own benefit.
What is Countable Income for SSI purposes?
Countable income for SSI purposes includes >Earned income such as wages, unearned income (Social Security benefits, pensions, etc.), in-kind income (food or shelter that is free or less than fair market value), and deemed income (income of a spouse who lives with the applicant). >It does not include, among other things, the first $20 of most income received in a month and the first $65 of earnings. >The SSI federal benefit is calculated by subtracting the countable amount from the SSI federal benefit standard.
Michelle first started receiving Social Security retirement benefits in January. She reaches her full retirement age in June that same year. She is working for earned income. Her Social Security benefits are reduced by one dollar for every $3 in earnings above the annual limit for that entire year.
False In the year a person reaches full retirement age, $1 in benefits is deducted for every $3 in earnings above the annual limit in the months before the person reaches full retirement age. Michelle's benefits are reduced $1 for every $3 in earnings for January through May, because she reaches full retirement age in June.
A person has a partial disability that meets SSDI's four requirements for a disability and prevents the person from engaging in substantial and gainful employment. This person is eligible for SSDI benefits.
False SSDI benefits are not paid for partial or short-term disability. SSDI benefits are paid only for total disability.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has a limit of 36 months of payments.
False SSI benefits continue until a beneficiary is no longer eligible. The SSA re-determines eligibility and benefit amounts of most beneficiaries every one to six years or whenever a beneficiary reports a change that affects eligibility or payment.
The eligibility rules for Social Security disability benefits are the same as for retirement benefits. (T/F)
False. For retirement benefits, the worker's entire lifetime earnings are taken into account to determine if there are 40 work credits. For disability benefits, only the 10 years prior to the onset of the disability are considered. The number of work credits needed during this 10-year period depends on the worker's age when the person became disabled and is subject to recent work and duration of work tests.
Older people who elect to work past age 70 will increase their Social Security benefit. (T/F)
False. Even if a worker elects to work past age 70, the monthly benefit does not increase. Workers receive their full monthly benefit at their full retirement age based on the year of birth. Workers can increase their monthly benefit by delaying retirement beyond their full retirement age up to age 70. Taking early retirement at age 62 permanently reduces the monthly benefit.
What is used to determine disability for SSDI?
Step 1: Current Employment Step 2. Severity of medical condition >>If the beneficiary's condition does not impact basic work functions (e.g., sitting, walking, memorizing, or paying attention) for at least one year, the person is not considered disabled. If the condition is severe enough to affect any of these functions, the disability determination continues to step 3. Step 3. Compassionate Allowances >>Social Security maintains a list of impairments that are severe enough to automatically qualify a beneficiary as disabled. This list can be found on the SSA website. >>The worker must have the level of severity described in the SSA list; having just a diagnosis is not enough. If the worker is not automatically considered disabled, the determination proceeds to step 4. Step 4. Ability to do previous work >>A worker who can continue his or her previous work is not considered disabled. If the worker is unable to resume his or her previous work, the application proceeds to the final step. >>Also, the worker's residual functional capacity is assessed to identify the specific mental and physical limitations the worker has regarding work activities (e.g., how much the worker can lift, how long the worker can sit or stand). Step 5. Ability to do other work >>An applicant who is unable to do a previous job may still be able to learn and succeed at other work. At this step, the worker's vocational factors are considered (e.g., age, education, transferable skills, employment experience), along with the nature of the disability. >>If the applicant is considered unable to learn other skills to engage in substantial gainful activity, the disability determination is approved. If it is determined that the applicant has the ability to learn how to do other work, the request for disability benefits is denied.
What is PIA Calculated?
The AIME is then used to calculate the primary insurance amount (PIA), which is the amount of monthly Social Security benefits the worker will receive at full retirement. The monthly benefit amount may be higher or lower than the PIA if the worker retires before or after full retirement age.
What is the Date Last Insured as it relates to SSDI?
The date SSDI eligibility ends is called the date last insured (DLI). The DLI is simply the date before which the disability must have begun (i.e., the inability to work due to the impairment). A worker can file a claim after the DLI, but the person must prove the disability began before the DLI. As a practical matter, the longer the person waits to file, the harder it is to prove the claim, as the evidence from the past slowly evaporates (e.g., doctors get rid of records, memories fade).
What is the Highest Earnings Index Averaged and how it applies to Social Security benefits?
The worker's earnings are indexed to reflect the change in general wage levels that occurred during his or her years of employment. This adjustment ensures that the worker's future benefits reflect the general rise in standard of living that occurred during the working years.
What is the Highest Earnings Index Averaged and how it applies to Social Security benefits?
Then, up to 35 years of the highest indexed earnings are averaged and rounded down to the next lower dollar amount to determine a worker's average indexed monthly earnings (AIME).
What is the Recent Work test as it applies to SSDI elibility?
To meet the recent work test, a worker must have been substantially and gainfully employed and contributing to Social Security for at least five of the last 10 years before the disability, or for half the time between the worker's 21st birthday and the date of disability. EXAMPLE: For example, a worker who becomes disabled at age 40 must have worked five of the last ten years (20 of the last 40 quarters); a worker who becomes disabled at 25 must have worked two of the last four years.
Beneficiaries of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are eligible for Medicaid.
True SSI recipients are eligible in most states for Medicaid, and an SSI application is an application for Medicaid.
Credits of coverage are required to be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits; they do not affect a person's benefit amount. (T/F)
True Social Security calculates the amount of a person's monthly benefit at full retirement age based on up to 35 years of the highest indexed earnings. This is called the primary insurance amount (PIA). A person's actual monthly benefit amount may be higher or lower than the PIA if the worker retires before or after full retirement age.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is processing some retirement and survivor claims for same-sex couples and paying benefits where due. It is also considering same-sex marriages for some Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. (T/F)
True Those in a same-sex marriage or other legal same-sex relationship who believe they are eligible for retirement or survivors benefits or SSI should apply to protect against the loss of any potential benefits
Joe, age 62, receives Social Security retirement benefits. His full retirement age is 66. He continues to earn income. His Social Security benefits are reduced by one dollar for every $2 above the annual earnings limit.
True When a person under full retirement age receives Social Security retirement benefits and continues to work for earned income, $1 in benefits is deducted for every $2 in earnings that are above the annual earnings limit.
To qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, workers must be at least 62 years old and have 40 work credits. (T/F)
True Workers can earn up to four credits in a calendar year based on how much they earned (wages or self-employment income).
SSI recipients are eligible in most states for Medicaid, and an SSI application is an application for Medicaid. (T/F)
True.
Older adults who continue working while drawing Social Security benefits before their full retirement age may have their benefits reduced due to a limit on earnings for employment. Benefits are not reduced once an individual reaches full retirement age. (T/F)
True. >If a beneficiary earns more than the limit, Social Security also reduces payments to the family members (including former spouses) who receive benefits based on the beneficiary's work record. If a family member or former spouse earns more than the annual limit, only that individual's benefits are affected.
What are the eligiblity requirements for Children for Social Security?
Unmarried children of a deceased Social Security beneficiary can receive a survivor benefit if they are: >under age 18, a full-time student up to grade 12 and under age 19, >or older than 18 and have a disability that began before age 22. NOTE: In some cases, benefits also can be paid to the deceased beneficiary's stepchildren, adopted children, grandchildren, or step-grandchildren.