Homeschool Students May Qualify For SS Child Benefits

Dennis of Missouri asks about whether or not a homeschooled child can be eligible for child benefits and what are the required documents.  A little background about student benefits: child benefits are terminated with the month the child turns age 18, unless he or she is a full time student in elementary or secondary school (not college), in which case the benefits can continue as long as the child is under age 19.  Social Security does recognize homeschooling as an educational institution if the state where the school is located recognizes the home school as an educational institution, and the Federal standards for full-time attendance are met, which usually means 20 hours per week (there can be exceptions for health) and at least 13 weeks duration of the course.  The program cannot be a correspondence course. And the home school must meet the requirements of state law.  The documentation for this must be obtained from the state and then presented to the Social Security Administration, which will want statements from the home school parent or teacher to establish the hours and duration of the course.  

Here is a link to the SSA's Programs Operations Manual about homeschooling: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0300205275

I wish you the very best in your endeavors to educate your children in the best way.