The dependent children are entitled to social security benefits until they reach the age of 18 years; it can continue until age 19 if they are attending high school full time (GED classes or going to college is not included). Currently, about 113,000 high schoolers are receiving the benefits under this provision. In the past, if the child was in a vocational school or a full-time student in college, the benefits had continued until they were 22. However, in 1981 the Congress abandoned the post-secondary students’ benefits.