One point with a minor correction for those on SSDI or regular SS.... The law has now changed for the child's age. The child's benefit in the US is still good through the month the child turns age 18. BUT, that benefit will end when they graduate from High School. So, if the child is 18 1/2 years, AND, a letter from the school (on official Letterhead sent to SSA) says the child is still enrolled as a High School student, the child's benefit can continue until the child's graduation month or age 20 - whichever comes first. If the Mother qualifies for the SSA Mother's benefit, then the Mother's benefit will cut off when the child turns age 16 - period. At age 16, it is assumed that the child is legally old enough to work and go to High School, plus is old enough to help out the family and him/herself. That's how it's working in the States right now.... nwlivewire
That is good to know... thank God the Philippines has finally joined the rest of the world going to a 12 year education program so the benefits can be extended for an additional two years. . This may also elimanate high school drop outs. Does the benefits stop upon stopping the formal education process?
Yes. The child's benefit stops if the child is not enrolled in high school. This is why you have to get an officially-signed letterhead from the school and send it to SSA IF your child turns age 18, is still in High School, AND, you still want to continue receiving the child's benefit past the month of that child's 18th birthday. Most States in the Western US offer public high school until age 20, as this allows for "late starters" due to minimum age/readiness entrance requirements, and/or when a child has to repeat a grade. I know Oregon has a public school age limit of 20 years. nwlivewire I might also add the Mother's benefit is income DEPENDENT. In other words, IF the mother qualifies for the Mother's benefit, the mother receives this monthly benefit until the SSA child turns age 16. However, the Mother must NOT EARN OVER XXX amount of money (gross - before taxes of any kind) during that calendar year. ********** OOPS! there MAY have been ANOTHER change to the child's age - AGAIN - down to age 19. The governing rules that SSA uses in making their determinations are called "POMS". So make sure whatever you are reading on the websites state a POMS number. Please see the following: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0300208000 https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms....efit for child under age 16&start=1&count=500
