My husband is in Federal jail. I have 3 children at age 12 , 13 and 16. I am a stay at home mom. My husband turned to 65 in Jan 2017. Now it is 2018 and I just found out my children and I can apply for my husband's social security benefit . We lost our health insurance and everything after my husband went to jail. Right now we have medical assistance. My question is if I and my 3 children apply for my husband's social security benefit, will we lose medical assistance ? Is that worth it to do it?
How much money we can get from social security for a family of 4 total? Thanks

Hi,

If he hasn't already done so, your husband would have to file for his benefits in order for you and your children to be able to receive benefits on his record. Your husband wouldn't be able to draw his benefits until he gets out of jail, though. The amount of benefits potentially payable to you and your children would depend on your husband's benefit rate, which is in turn based on his earnings history. You could use our maximization software to determine your potential family benefit rates, but you will need a your husband's earnings history to do so.

If the medical assistance that you're referring to is Medicaid, then any change in your level of income could potentially have an impact on your Medicaid eligibility. However, I can't tell you whether or not your Social Security benefit amounts would be high enough to affect Medicaid eligibility in your case.

Best, Jerry