I have custody of my 4 year old grand daughter. Are there any benefits I can collect to help with her living expenses. She has also just started receiving Child support from her Father, her mom is in prison for a long time. I am not sure if the child support is her income or mine, and re-portable or not. My SSDI and SSI and the CS total only $1103 per month for the two of us. I am 59 years old and not much of a work history to retire on nor do I have a spouse.

Hi,

Since her parents are living, your granddaughter could not qualify for Social Security benefits on your record unless you adopt her, or if both of her parents are determined to be disabled according to Social Security's standards. Even if she did qualify as a dependent child on your record, though, the family maximum payable on your disability record may not permit any additional family benefits to be paid. And, unless one or both of her parent's are entitled to Social Security benefits on their own record, she can't get child's benefits on their records either.

If your granddaughter is disabled, she may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For more information on the SSI program, refer to this reference: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/. You may also want to check with the Department of Social Services in your area to see if you qualify for any types of public assistance.

If you are receiving SSI benefits, the child support that you receive for your granddaughter will not reduce your SSI benefits. Child support is considered as income to the child, not the custodial parent or grandparent.

Best, Jerry