If each of my 4 children get SS survivor benefits of $11000 a year and I get disability benefits of $11300(per year) are they still considered dependents? (all under 17)

Nooka98 · ‎March 30, 2021

This is the only income in the household but I have been told No and Yes by different people. Just don't want to waste time filling out the forms wrong.

ThomasM125 · ‎March 30, 2021

You need to furnish over one half of their support for your children to be considered dependents. That would seem unlikely under your scenario, since they are receiving more money collectively than you, and I assume the money they receive is used for their support.

So it is doubtful you can claim them as dependents.

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DawnC · ‎March 30, 2021

You are not required to file tax returns if all of your income comes from SS/Disability. However, here are the qualifications for claiming someone as a dependent. For the support determination, here is a helpful worksheet. Your children cannot have provided over half of their own support to be considered your dependent. For other relatives, you have to have provided over half of their support for them to be qualified as your dependent. Without any earned income, you are not going to qualify for refundable credits in 2020, but the rules are different for next year's tax return - the one that will be filed in 2022.

Changes for 2021 tax returns

Starting in the tax year 2021, the Plan increases the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to:

$3,600 for each child under 6
$3,000 for each child age 6–17

It also makes the credit fully refundable, meaning you’ll be eligible to get it even if you don’t owe taxes. Starting in July, payments for the Credit will be sent in advance so you won’t have to wait to file your 2021 taxes to receive that amount.

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ThomasM125 · ‎March 30, 2021

You need to furnish over one half of their support for your children to be considered dependents. That would seem unlikely under your scenario, since they are receiving more money collectively than you, and I assume the money they receive is used for their support.

So it is doubtful you can claim them as dependents.

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**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Nooka98 · ‎March 30, 2021

That was my thought on it but since I haven't filed taxes in a while, I thought I should check and be sure. Thanks!!✌️

DawnC · ‎March 30, 2021

You are not required to file tax returns if all of your income comes from SS/Disability. However, here are the qualifications for claiming someone as a dependent. For the support determination, here is a helpful worksheet. Your children cannot have provided over half of their own support to be considered your dependent. For other relatives, you have to have provided over half of their support for them to be qualified as your dependent. Without any earned income, you are not going to qualify for refundable credits in 2020, but the rules are different for next year's tax return - the one that will be filed in 2022.

Changes for 2021 tax returns

Starting in the tax year 2021, the Plan increases the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to:

$3,600 for each child under 6
$3,000 for each child age 6–17

It also makes the credit fully refundable, meaning you’ll be eligible to get it even if you don’t owe taxes. Starting in July, payments for the Credit will be sent in advance so you won’t have to wait to file your 2021 taxes to receive that amount.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Nooka98 · ‎March 31, 2021

I think this might have been the reason for the conflicting answers I was getting from family and friends. I appreciate your answers!!🐾

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If each of my 4 children get SS survivor benefits of $11000 a year and I get disability benefits of $11300(per year) are they still considered dependents? (all under 17)