STUDENT SHOULD KEEP THIS INFORMATION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
INFORMATION ABOUT BENEFITS PAST AGE 18
If you qualify for Social Security benefits because you are a full-time student, you can start receiving benefits as
early as age 18 and usually through the month you graduate from the 12th grade, or the month before you
become age 19, whichever is earlier. Your benefits will be paid in your own name beginning at age 18, either by
direct deposit or by mail. Generally, we consider you to be a full-time student if you are in full-time attendance at
a school that provides education at the secondary (grade 12) level or below. Full-time attendance means you are
scheduled to attend classes at the rate of 20 hours each week, or at the rate determined by your school to be
full-time (if higher).
INFORMATION ABOUT BENEFITS PAST AGE 19
Your benefits may continue past age 19 if you are in actual full-time attendance at a school that provides
elementary or secondary education in the month you become age 19. If the school operates on a yearly basis,
then payment may be continued after age 19 up through the earlier of (1) the month you complete the course in
which you are enrolled full-time or (2) the second month after the month you become age 19. If the school
requires re-enrollment on other than a yearly basis, benefits may continue through the month ending the term
that is in progress when you become age 19. Note that payments beyond age 19 cannot be made if you become
age 19 in a month of nonattendance (for example, you become age 19 in a month when you are on summer
vacation).
IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES
YOU MUST NOTIFY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PROMPTLY IF:
•
YOU MARRY
•
YOU STOP ATTENDING SCHOOL
•
YOU REDUCE YOUR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BELOW FULL-TIME
•
YOU CHANGE SCHOOLS
•
YOUR EMPLOYER PAYS YOU TO ATTEND SCHOOL (either at his request or as a
requirement of employment)
•
AN UNSATISFIED WARRANT, OVER 30 DAYS OLD, WAS ISSUED FOR YOUR ARREST
BECAUSE YOU WERE CHARGED WITH A CRIME THAT CARRIES A PENALTY OF DEATH OR
CONFINEMENT OVER ONE YEAR, OR BECAUSE YOU VIOLATED A CONDITION OF FEDERAL
OR STATE PROBATION OR PAROLE.
Your benefits may end if any of the above occur. You must report each of these events even if you
believe your benefit should not end. We will tell you about how your benefits may be affected.
YOU MUST ALSO NOTIFY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PROMPTLY IF:
•
YOU MOVE OR CHANGE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS
•
YOU WORK IN EMPLOYMENT OR SELF-EMPLOYMENT
When you are awarded Social Security benefits as a student, you will receive a booklet that further covers your
responsibilities. It is important for you to read that booklet.
HOW WORK OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AFFECTS YOUR BENEFITS
If your earnings are not subject to U.S. Social Security taxes, a 45-hour test applies. Under this test, if you are
employed (or self-employed) for more than 45 hours in a month, you are not eligible to receive a benefit for that
month. How much you earn and how many days you work in a month does not matter. A person is employed if
he/she performs services for someone else and receives cash payment or other compensation for these
services. This includes part-time work, and work as an apprentice.
Failure to report employment in the United States or outside the United States can result in the loss of
additional benefits.
Form SSA-1372-BK-FC (01-2018) Page 7 of 8