My father is retired and only collects about $900 a month in social security benefits (his only income) and has 3 kids under the age of 18, can he still claim them as 3 dependents and get money even though his social security benefits are not taxable? thanks.

AtlantaTaxExpert

Unfortunately, no.

However, if you are helping him financially and are providing half the support for him and the other children, YOU can claim your father and your siblings as dependents even if they do NOT live with you.

Email me for details.

needle176

he also has medicaid and so does his 3 kids and also receive food stamps. now if I claim them including my mother as dependents, will that affect their medicaid/ food stamp aid? i do not have medicaid nor do i receive food stamps but i would like to claim them and get back about $8000. will medicaid or food stamps find out? is it a problem? thanks

AtlantaTaxExpert

Call the state offices that manage Medicaid and the food stamps and ASK! You need not give them your name, and they will give you the state policy on this issue.

I suspect it will make NO DIFFERENCE, but I do not know for sure.

BTW, the IRS will NOT tell the state that you claimed them as dependents. The IRS, for all of its faults, does NOT share the tax details of your return with anyone without good cause.