Social Security Column
Social Security’s Gift to Children Is Security
By Erin Thompson, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
in Toledo, OH
Guest Column
During the holiday season, most of us, regardless of
religion or beliefs, focus on the children we love. Caring
for children is one of the best ways to safeguard the
future. And we at Social Security know a thing or two about
helping children. The application for a Social Security
number and card is sometimes overlooked in the paperwork
that parents fill out in preparation for a child’s birth.
Typically, the hospital will ask new mothers if they want to
apply for a Social Security number for their newborn as part
of the birth registration process. This is the easiest and
fastest way to apply. The Social Security card typically
arrives about a week to 10 days after that little bundle of
joy! You can learn about Social Security numbers for
children by reading our publication, Social Security
Numbers for Children, available at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
A child needs a Social Security number if he or she is going
to have a bank account, if a relative is buying savings
bonds for the child, if the child will have medical
coverage, or if the child will receive government services.
You’ll also need a Social Security number for a child to
claim him or her on your tax returns. If you wait to apply,
you will have to visit a Social Security office and you’ll
need to:
Complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form
SS-5);
Show us original documents proving your child’s U.S.
citizenship, age, and identity; and
Show us documents proving your identity.
A child age 12 or older requesting an original Social
Security number must appear in person for the interview,
even though a parent or guardian will sign the application
on the child’s behalf. Children with disabilities are among
our most vulnerable citizens. Social Security is dedicated
to helping those with qualifying disabilities and their
families through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
program. To qualify for SSI:
The child must have a physical or mental condition, or a
combination of conditions, resulting in “marked and severe
functional limitations.” This means that the condition(s)
must severely limit your child’s activities;
The child’s condition(s) must be severe, last for at least
12 months, or be expected to result in death; and
The child must not be working and earning more than the
Substantial Gainful Activity limit ($1,180 a month in 2018).
If your child’s condition(s) does not result in “marked and
severe limitations,” or does not result in those limitations
lasting for at least 12 months, your child will not qualify
for SSI. Family resources are also considered. If the
parents of the child or children have more resources than
are allowed, then the child or children will not qualify for
SSI.
You can read more about children’s benefits at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10026.pdf.
Visit
www.socialsecurity.gov/people/kids
to learn more about all we do to care for children. Social
Security is with you and your children through your life’s
journey, securing today and tomorrow.
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