[chunga1215]

Ive never posted here, but here it goes..

I have a son with Down Syndrome and he will be turning 18 in April. He should qualify for SSI benefits once he has his 18th birthday. My question is.. does anyone know if my ex-husband is still legally responsible for child support? Although he is legally 18 years old.. he will always depend on me and my current husband for support and he still attends a special needs school and will until he is 21.

My other question is.. dad lives in Utah and we live in Florida so what state makes that determination.. and would child support affect my sons SSI benefits?

Thanks so much.. Im sooo confused! :confused:

Theresa

[George_1950]

I believe the state in which you divorced and child support established retains jurisdiction for purposes of modification of child support. What state? I also believe that the obligation to support to 21 may be in your agreement and order, but that the father's liability will otherwise end in accordance with state law (where you divorced). Where I live, child support ends at age 18.

[Emland]

I just helped my son apply for SSI benefits last week. He turned 18 last December, is MR/DD and I can share with you our experience.

Take with you copies of his most recent IEP and if you have it the latest psych report (the one I had was 18 months old and they were good with that). Don't give them your originals. You'll need his birth certificate, too. If he has medical issues, documentation of that, too.

They asked where my son is living. If he is at home the benefits are about half than if he is living at a group home or on his own. Full benefits are about $640 and living at home benefits are $326. The funds have to be in an account that the beneficiary does NOT have sole access to. You will have to account for how the money is spent once a year. (With all that money I don't know how I will possibly be able to keep up with it /sarcasm.)

They did not ask about our financial information except for the amount of our mortgage. They did ask if we worked, but didn't want any particulars as of where or how much. They also did not ask if I was receiving child support.

They told me the decision could take up to 120days so if your son is 18 I would get him started now.

Sorry, but I don't know about whether the ex will have to continue to pay.

[Knightrider1965]

I live in Mississippi. Here according to state law a child will receive child support until age 21, that is if still single and living at home. All states differ in this law so I would first look for answers on line. If you can't find, then ask an attourney.