Claiming a child while on social security disability

[holtoncandace]

If my only income is social security disability, do I get to claim my 16 year old son on my income tax?

[Texas Roger · Accepted solution]

When your only income is social security disability, there is no need to file a tax return and you would get no benefit from claiming your son if you filed a return. 

[holtoncandace]

But I've filed in the past, claiming my child, and have always gotten money back. I really need the $3,000-$4,000 that I usually get back so why shouldn't I continue to file claiming him?

[Texas Roger]

You must have taxable income to get any refund from credits of any type for filing a tax return. If you only had social security disability in the past, you could not have received any refund.