Can parent claim head of household if the other parent is disabled and the child receives social security?

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
February 13, 2026
2 replies
15 views

I have an unmarried couple who lives together and has two children together. One spouse has always claimed the children on his return and filed head of household. The other parent is disabled does not normally file a return while waiting for here SS disability to go through. This year in 2025 her disability went through and both she and the one child both received social security including back pay. The other child was not born until 12/28/25 so she did not receive benefits. My question is can the parent who has always claimed the children as head of household still do so even though the child received 25k in social security? If not then he would just file single and still claim the children correct?

BobKamman

Level 15

The child might have received a million-dollar inheritance and still qualify the parent for HoH (if still qualified as a dependent). It's not how much is received, it's how the money is spent. Who paid more than half the household costs?

And, the disabled unwed mother had another child in December? As a well-known Argentinian once said, "who are we to judge?"

J

jvanstee2000Author

Level 2

So they are a couple but unmarried and both children are theirs together. The father has always claimed the older child and has provided all of the cost to maintain the household. The mother is disabled and has been waiting to get her SS disability for two years. She was finally granted her SS ability this year so she received a large amount which is primarily back pay since she filed her claim. The child also received a large amount again due to back pay.

kobe22

Level 5

HOH is her filing status.

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