Funky Facts about the Family Allowance
If you are a person who has been found disabled through your earnings and you have kids, you may be entitled to an additional amount of funds. These additional funds are referred to as a “Family Allowance”. This allowance allows these benefits to be provided to your children as a result of your receiving Social Security Disability. However, it’s important to remember a few key things regarding these benefits:
1) The FAMILY ALLOWANCE is NOT meant to pay your BACK CHILD SUPPORT
Sometimes, people get confused and think that the monies they receive for their family allowance may be used to satisfy their ‘back child support’. Keep in mind that these monies are two totally different pots of money. The family allowance does not get you out of your back child support obligation nor is it use to satisfy your back child support (I’ll deal with that topic later)
2) The FAMILY ALLOWANCE will end: The CHILD
This part is a little tricky because there are usually several points at which the benefits for the child may end. The benefits will end with the month before the month in which the minor become 18 years old, if the minor is not disabled or a full-time student. If the minor becomes age 19 in a month in which the minor has not completed the requirements for, or received, a diploma or equivalent certificate from an elementary or secondary school and you are required to enroll for each quarter or semester, the Social Security Administration will find the minor’s entitlement ended with the month in which the quarter or semester in which the minor are enrolled ends.
3) The FAMILY ALLOWANCE are for the KIDS, NOT YOU!
Sometimes, people think that the entitlement to additional benefits is meant for them as opposed to children. If you support your children and the kids live somewhere else, take a wild guess where the money is going? That’s right! Where the kids are!
4) The FAMILY ALLOWANCE is calculated retroactively like your regular benefits.
When Social Security benefits are being calculated retroactively, the Family Allowance is calculated retroactively as well.
5) The FAMILY ALLOWANCE will end: The BENEFICIARY!
If you return to work or if Social Security determines that you are no longer disabled, your child’s entitlement to those benefits will end as well.
Family allowance benefits can be funky so make sure you ask as many questions as possible to understand how these monies work.
