Under our regulations, a parent is a natural parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent.

In these instructions, we consider:

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  a natural parent (a parent) to be a person who was a child’s parent from birth or a parent based on their role in the child’s life;

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  an adoptive parent to be a person who legally adopted a child; and

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  a stepparent to be the current spouse, including a holding-out spouse, of a child’s parent or adoptive parent.

Keep in mind that:

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  not all SSI children (as defined in SI 00501.010) are in parent-child relationships for SSI purposes;

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  an eligible child may have more than two parents in their household, e.g., when the child lives with two parents or adoptive parents as well as a parent’s current spouse, as in SI 01320.500B.4.; or

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  we may find that someone who is not a parent from the time of a child’s birth is a parent based on their role in the child’s life, or is an adoptive parent or a stepparent.

Consistent with our regulations, we accept allegations about whether someone is or is not the parent of a child (including an adoptive parent or stepparent), unless we have information to the contrary.

To resolve information to the contrary, we first review certain available certificates or decrees indicated in SI 00501.015E in this section.

When such records are unavailable or insufficient to support an allegation about whether someone:

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  was a child’s parent from birth;

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  legally adopted a child; or

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  is married to the child’s parent (thereby attaining stepparent status);

We may find that someone is:

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  a parent based on their role in the child’s life, or

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  a stepparent based on how a couple hold themselves out to the community.

In a disputed case, notwithstanding records of birth, adoption, or marriage, we evaluate real-life factors to determine whether someone is a parent, such as the degree to which the individual participates in the child’s upbringing, what parental responsibilities they accept, how they refer to the child, and how the community regards the relationship.

On an SSI application or redetermination, accept an allegation that an individual is or is not the parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent of a child for SSI purposes, unless you have information to the contrary.

Do not question an allegation that an individual is or is not the child’s parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent for SSI purposes solely because:

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  the alleged parent may not be the child’s biological parent (e.g., when the parents are of the same sex or when there is information indicating that the child was conceived through artificial reproductive technology); or

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  instructions in subchapter GN 00306.000 would not establish this as a parent-child relationship for Title II purposes; i.e., do not consider the Title II definitions of child or parent when making a parent-child determination for SSI purposes.

  NOTE: We do not use Title II instructions when we determine whether someone is a parent for SSI purposes. Information that is associated with a Title II claim or evident from the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR), however, may be “information to the contrary” if it conflicts with a Title XVI allegation regarding the parent-child relationship. See SI 00501.015B.2. in this section.

Question an allegation regarding whether someone is the child’s parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent for SSI purposes only if you have information contrary to that allegation.

There would be “information to the contrary,” for example, when:

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  an individual alleged to be the child’s parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent comes forward to deny the relationship;

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  any individual provides contradictory allegations with respect to the child’s parent(s), adoptive parent(s), or stepparent(s);

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  an individual alleges that an original parent’s rights were terminated when the child was adopted; or

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  SSA’s records (e.g., documents presently available to SSA, materials associated with other SSA claims involving the child and their family, or NUMIDENT records) contradict the allegation of parenthood for SSI purposes.

If you question an allegation that someone is or is not the child’s parent or adoptive parent for SSI purposes because you have information contrary to the allegation, evaluate an available birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or adoption decree, and, as needed, evidence from the child’s everyday life in the order instructed in SI 00501.015D and SI 00501.015E in this section.

Where evidence does not support that someone is a parent or adoptive parent, they may be a stepparent because of a marital relationship with a child’s parent (including a holding-out marital relationship or a marriage by reason of entitlement to Title II benefits as a spouse). Furthermore, we may find that someone is a parent based on their role in the child’s life.

Do not make a determination that an individual is not a parent for SSI purposes without first following the procedural steps laid out in SI 00501.015D in this section.

For the purpose of deeming income and resources to a child (as defined in SI 00501.010B.1.) or for applying the ineligible child allocation (as in SI 00501.010B.2.), the parent or adoptive parent:

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  is a member of the same household as the child(ren) (for instructions on “Temporary Absence” from a household for deeming purposes, see SI 01310.165, and for “Absence from a Deeming Household Due to Military Service,” see SI 01310.170); and

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  are not themselves eligible for SSI payments.

For the purpose of applying the one-third exclusion of child support (see SI 00501.010B.3.), a parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent:

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  provides monetary or in-kind support to an SSI eligible child, and

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  does not live in the same household as the eligible child (for instructions on determining absence for a child support determination, see SI 00830.420).

If you have information contrary to an allegation regarding a parent (adoptive, stepparent)-child relationship, first review one or more of the following readily available documents:

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  certificate of birth, baptism, marriage (or an MBR indicating that the alleged stepparent is entitled to Title II benefits as the spouse of the child’s parent or adoptive parent), or death, or

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  decree of adoption, divorce, or annulment.

If:

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  the certificate(s) (or, for marriage, an MBR) or decree(s) names the related parties;

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  there are no contrary allegations remaining; and

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  you are able to determine that the individual is a parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent, then document your decision on a Report of Contact (ROC). Fax a copy of the evidence into the Non-Disability Repository for Evidentiary Documents (NDRed).

Remember that, while documents may not establish that an individual is a parent or an adoptive parent, the individual may be:

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  a stepparent due to the existence of a marital relationship, or

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  a parent based on their role in the child’s life.

If you develop for the existence of a holding-out marriage to confer stepparent status according to instructions in SI 00501.152C.3., document your decision on a ROC. Fax a copy of the evidence into NDRed.

If birth, adoption, death, or marriage-related certificates or decrees naming the related parties:

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  are not available;

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  raise further questions; or

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  fail to establish that the individual is a parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent; and

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  you do not determine a stepparent-child relationship by reason of a holding-out marriage; then

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  use a ROC to explain that you are unable to determine that the individual is a parent based on your development; and

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  obtain other evidence to determine whether someone is or is not a parent based on their role in the child’s life.

Such evidence may include:

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  records from schools, employers, welfare departments, hospitals, courts, or adoption agencies indicating whom these entities consider to be the child’s parent(s);

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  tax returns naming the child as a dependent;

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  insurance policies listing the child as a beneficiary; and

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  statements made by relatives, friends, or neighbors who are in a position to know the facts concerning an alleged parent-child relationship (e.g., statements regarding whether the individual was present at the child’s birth, takes the child to medical appointments, or refers to the child as their own child or stepchild).

Evaluate the documents and statements to determine whether the individual is or is not the child’s parent based on their role in the child’s life. Consider such factors as the degree to which the individual participates in the child’s upbringing, what parental responsibilities they accept, how they refer to the child, and how the community regards the relationship.

For examples of parent-child relationship determinations, see SI 00501.015F in this section. In some cases, a single piece of evidence of the individual’s role in the child’s life may be conclusive.

Use a ROC to explain your determination regarding the alleged parent-child relationship. Fax a copy of the supporting evidence into NDRed.

Michelle visits their local field office (FO) to file for SSI payments for their child, Noah. Michelle alleges that they and Noah live with Noah’s other parent, Greg. The ACID screen prefills ICDB information indicating Michelle and Greg as Noah’s parents. There is no information contrary to Michelle’s allegation that both they and Greg are Noah’s parents. The FO deems income and resources to Noah from both Michelle and Greg without further development.

Ivan and Bill live with four-year-old Denise. When filing for SSI on Denise’s behalf, they allege that they are Denise’s parents, consistent with information on Denise’s NUMIDENT record. The CR, however, notes that Bill was denied Title II payments a year ago, at which time they had not indicated that they had any children. Since this evidence is contrary to the allegation that both Ivan and Bill are Denise’s parents, the CR requests the child’s birth certificate. The birth certificate submitted by Ivan and Bill shows both of their names as parents. Because the document names the parties as alleged, the FO deems income and resources to Denise from both Ivan and Bill.

Jim and Rusty live together with an SSI child applicant, Tess. Jim alleges that they are Tess’ adoptive parent, and both Jim and Rusty say that Rusty is also Tess’ parent. While Tess’ case pends at DDS, the FO receives a phone call from a person who claims to be Tess’ birth parent and Jim’s ex-spouse. The person has heard that Jim and Rusty are “going around saying that Rusty is Tess’ parent.”

At the CR’s request, Jim and Rusty provide the FO with a readily available adoption certificate, which shows only that Jim adopted Tess. No official civil or religious records are readily available to support their allegation that Rusty is also Tess’ parent. The FO then develops for Jim’s possible marital relationship to Rusty and determines that Jim and Rusty are married, based on a marriage certificate. The FO considers the income and resources both of Jim as a parent and Rusty as Jim’s spouse (Tess’ stepparent) when deeming to Tess.

Betty and Chuck were living with thirteen-year-old Valerie when Betty applied for SSI disabled child payments on Valerie’s behalf. Betty alleged that they and Chuck were Valerie’s parents. SSA denied Valerie’s SSI claim due to income deemed from Chuck’s profitable real estate business.

A few months later, Betty again files for Valerie, this time claiming that Chuck is neither Valerie’s parent nor Betty’s spouse. Recognizing “information to the contrary,” the FO requests Valerie’s birth certificate, which is readily available and shows only Betty’s name as the parent. No official civil or religious records are readily available that would indicate that Chuck is Valerie’s parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent.

The FO then looks to a possible holding-out marital relationship between Betty and Chuck that would confer stepparent status on Chuck. Using Form SSA-4178, the FO finds that Betty and Chuck are not in a holding-out marital relationship.

Finally, the FO asks for Valerie’s latest report card, a doctor’s bill, and Chuck’s most recent 1040 tax return.

Although Betty alone had signed Valerie’s report card, Chuck’s name appears on the doctor’s bill as “parent/responsible party,” and Chuck claimed Valerie as their dependent on their tax return. Based on the allegation on Valerie’s original SSI application, as well as the real-life evidence of the doctor’s bill and the tax return, the CR determines that Chuck functions as a parent and is, therefore, a parent for SSI deeming purposes. The FO again denies Valerie’s claim due to excess income.

Jennifer was living with six-year-old Evan and four-year-old James when Jennifer applied for SSI disability payments for Evan. Jennifer alleged that they were Evan’s parent and that James was not related to them or Evan.

SSA denied Evan’s SSI claim based on deemed parental income from Jennifer, but Jennifer appealed the decision, contending that SSA should take into account that they were supporting James, the other child in the household. Jennifer alleged that James was born to their ex-partner, Rita, when Jennifer and Rita were living together. Contrary to their earlier allegation, Jennifer claimed that they consider James to be their child and that Jennifer has continued to raise them, even though Rita has permanently left the household.

Although Jennifer does not appear on James’ birth certificate, they do not allege having legally adopted James, and they do not claim to have married Rita, the FO determines that James qualifies for an ineligible child allocation because Jennifer functions as James’ parent. The FO bases its determination on the real-life evidence of daycare records listing Jennifer as James’ parent and of neighbors’ statements that they consider Jennifer to be James’ parent and that they have observed James verbally referring to Jennifer as their parent. Because the ineligible child allocation reduces Jennifer’s deemable income, the FO now finds Evan eligible for SSI payments.