October 16 – Current Child Support for an Adult Child
Question: I am working with a 19-year old Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiary who lives in his own apartment. His father pays his mother a $100 per month child-support. His mother in turn gives the money to him and he uses it to pay his living expenses. How does Social Security treat a current child support payment for an adult child?
Answer: When a parent or other person receives current child support payments for an adult child after the adult child stops meeting the definition of a child, the income belongs to the adult child. The support payments are unearned income to the adult child even if he or she does not live with or receive any of the child support payment from the parent or other person.
Situations that involve child support payments are complex. You should not attempt to provide advisement about the effect of child support payments on SSI. Instead, provide general information and refer the beneficiary to Social Security for specific information
Would you like to find out more about WIPA and your benefits? Contact your statewide WIPA Program-Project 20/20 if you have questions like our Daily Tips or want to learn more about working while receiving social security disability benefits. Call our North Augusta office at 803-279-9611 or the Ticket to Work Helpline at 1-866-968-7842. You can also complete a Contact Us or Self-referral Form.