Social Security Survivors and Caregivers
Three of my children receive Survivor Benefits from their late father, and I receive caregiver benefits for them. My partner (unmarried) and I have a 1-year-old child together and live with all the children in the same household. I don't work outside the home, as I serve as the kids' payee for their Survivor Benefits and receive the caregiver benefits in my name.
My question is: Can my partner, who is the only one earning a traditional income and receiving a W-2, claim all the children on his taxes? Or would that impact my caregiver benefits for the kids?
I understand that if I were to work and earn over $19,000 annually, I would lose the caregiver benefits. Since I haven't worked outside the home since I was 21 (before having any children), it makes more sense for me to stay home, care for the kids, and retain the caregiver benefits. If I worked, I would likely earn less, lose the benefits, and also have to cover daycare costs, which wouldn't be financially feasible.
Currently, the kids' Survivor Benefits, along with my caregiver benefits, help cover our household expenses. We wouldn't be able to manage the bills on my partner's current income alone, though he is in training for a much better-paying job.
