Virginia SSI and Social Security Benefits for a Grandchild in Kinship Care

Three Federal Programs That May Apply

When you are raising a grandchild or relative's child, three Social Security Administration (SSA) programs may provide benefits for the child. A representative payee manages a child's payments for the child's needs; the funds are not personal income for the caregiver.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A federal monthly payment for children who meet SSA's blindness or disability rules and SSI's financial requirements. A child does not need a work history. If the child lives with a parent, SSA may count some of that parent's income and resources when deciding eligibility and payment amount.

Social Security Survivor Benefits: If the child's biological parent is deceased and paid Social Security taxes, the child may be eligible for monthly survivor benefits. The required work credits depend on the parent's age at death. Under a special rule, a child may qualify if the parent had six credits (about 1.5 years of work) in the three years before death.

Social Security Dependent Benefits: If the child's parent is receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, the child may qualify for dependent benefits on the parent's record.

These are federal programs administered by SSA, not by Virginia's DSS. They are entirely separate from TANF, SNAP, and FAMIS — and receiving SSA benefits does not disqualify the child from state programs, though the SSA payment may count as income for some benefit calculations.

Becoming a Representative Payee

If a child receives Social Security or SSI payments, SSA appoints a representative payee to receive and manage the funds for the child's benefit. A parent or other relative the child lives with often serves, but SSA selects the payee.

To apply, visit your local Social Security office. You will need to show:

• Your government-issued ID
• Proof that the child lives with you
• Information about the child's living expenses

Being a representative payee means you are legally responsible for using the child's benefits for the child's needs: food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and personal items. SSA periodically reviews representative payees to verify that funds are being used appropriately.

How SSA Income Affects State Benefits

Social Security and SSI payments can affect the child's eligibility or benefit amount under other programs, but each program applies its own income rules:

TANF child-only: Countable unearned income received directly for the child, such as child support or Social Security survivor benefits, can reduce the TANF grant dollar-for-dollar. Ask LDSS how SSI or another type of Social Security payment affects the child's grant.

Medicaid: Children receiving SSI are generally eligible for Medicaid. Confirm the child's coverage status with the local DSS or Cover Virginia.

SNAP: SSI and Social Security retirement, survivor, and dependent benefits are generally counted as unearned income in the SNAP household. Their effect on eligibility and benefit amount depends on the SNAP household and allowable deductions.

The interaction between these programs can be complex. Screen the child separately for each program: receiving one Social Security benefit does not by itself determine eligibility for TANF, Medicaid/FAMIS, SNAP, WIC, or school meals.

Screening for SSA Eligibility

If the child's parent has died, check for survivor benefits immediately. If the parent is disabled or retired and receiving SSA benefits, check for dependent benefits. If the child has a diagnosed disability, check for SSI.

You can start the process at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment at your local Social Security office. Bring the child's birth certificate, Social Security number, and any documentation of the parent's death, disability, or benefit status.

The Virginia kinship financial help guide covers how federal SSA benefits interact with Virginia's state programs — TANF, SNAP, FAMIS, and childcare — so you can see the complete financial picture for the child in your care.

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