If You Are Young and Lose a Parent
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: September 13, 2018
Social Security is here for young people when a parent passes away. We know that the loss of a parent isn’t just emotionally painful; it can be devastating to a family’s finances. In the same way that Social Security helps to lift up the disabled and elderly when they need it, we support families when an income-earning parent dies.
In 2017, we distributed an average of $2.6 billion each month to benefit about 4.2 million children because one or both of their parents are disabled, retired, or deceased. Those dollars help to provide the necessities of life and help make it possible for those children to complete high school.
You might ask, who can get child’s benefits? Your unmarried child can get benefits if they’re:
- Younger than age 18;
- 18-19 years old and a full-time student (no higher than grade 12); or
- 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.
To get benefits, a child must have:
- A parent who’s disabled or retired and entitled to Social Security benefits; or
- A parent who died after having worked long enough in a job where they paid Social Security taxes.
Benefits stop when your child reaches age 18 unless your child is a student or disabled.
Within a family, a child can receive up to half of the parent’s full retirement or disability benefit. If a child receives Survivors benefits, he or she can get up to 75 percent of the deceased parent’s basic Social Security benefit.
There is a limit to the amount of money that we can pay to a family. This family maximum is determined as part of every Social Security benefit computation. It can be from 150 to 180 percent of the parent’s full benefit amount. If the total amount payable to all family members exceeds this limit, we reduce each person’s benefit proportionately (except the parent’s) until the total equals the maximum allowable amount.
Children with disabilities may also be eligible for benefits. You can read more about Benefits for Children with Disabilities.
Social Security is securing today and tomorrow, protecting our future and the next generation.
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Tags: Social Security benefits, survivors benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Leigh
My daughter died tragically earlier this year. She was unmarried and was the custodial parent of her son (5 years old). Immediately after her death the father (who had not paid child support or had no visitation rights/schedule) swooped in and was awarded custody by a paid-off judge. Anyway, he now receives a healthy chunk of money which of course is supposed to be used for my grandson. I would not object to some of it being used for monthly expenses.
Here’s the kicker. Since he started receiving this money he barely works (was working full time) and has bought a new car.
I know where the money is coming from. Does my grandson not have anyone to advocate for him in this theft? The majority of that money should be set aside for him. I understand some should be for necessities. The aforementioned things are infuriating. I want my grandson to benefit from this death benefit. My daughter’s tragic death should not have been a payday for father for the next 12 and 1/2 years.
How is this monitored? Other than calling him out and nicely encouraging him to do the right thing, what can be done?
Vonda
We are very sorry for your loss, Leigh. If you think your grandson’s father is misusing benefits, tell Social Security right away. We will investigate all allegations of misuse, gather facts and evidence, and make a decision on whether misuse has occurred. You will receive a letter from Social Security telling you what we found. If we find misuse, Social Security may name a new representative payee for your grandson. We will then take action to recover the misused money.
Check out our Representative Payee web page for additional details. To report misuse, contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Leigh
Thank you so much for the quick response. I will definitely pursue your recommendations.
Nicole
If a mom is dying of cancer, can she have her daughters (6, 10) arranged to be put into a special account so that the father can’t just use it for anything instead of stuff for the children? Unfortunately, the children would never benefit from it and they are technically they still legally married.
Vonda
Hi Nicole, thanks for using our blog. Most minor children receiving Social Security benefits must have a representative payee. Check out our Representative Payee web page for details.
Leslie S.
I need help fighting the local office on my daughter overpayment. I tryed appeal. They do not make it into my daughter claim. I cannot get anyone to speak to me. They all say the same thing. We will not interfere with another person file. My daughter needs basic things. Hygiene clothes. Please help me get it touch with someone out of that local office. No one will every give me answers.
Vonda V.
Hi Leslie, we are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Please contact your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Steven G.
My daughter Shari Hatz passed away on dec 1919 she was divorced and had one son who is 15. She had worked for many years and I am sure she buiit up her social security benifits is my grandson Anthony Hatz entitled to any of her social security benifits and if so had do we go about it Thanking you StevenGoldberg. Telephone. Number 908 3349075
Vonda V.
We are very sorry for your loss, Steven. The child may be eligible for survivor benefits if the child’s mother earned enough Social Security credits through her work. Unmarried children who are under 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when a parent dies.
To inquire about potential benefits, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Leslie P.
if the father is not on the birth certificate, has SS and passes. How would the minor child be able to prove the relationship. the parents and child live together as family and he carries her on his work life insurance as a benificiary
Vonda V.
The child may be eligible for survivor benefits if the child’s father earned enough Social Security credits through his work. Unmarried children who are under 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when a parent dies. The child can be a biological child, adopted child, or stepchild.
To inquire about potential benefits, or to apply for benefits, call us at 1-800-772-1213 or contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Amber w.
My 2 son’s father died and I don’t know what I need to get them on social security . Thier grandmother told me to get it . What do I need ? Thank you
Vonda V.
We are very sorry for your loss, Amber. The children may be eligible for survivor benefits if their father earned enough Social Security credits through his work. Unmarried children who are under 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when a parent dies.
To inquire about potential benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jesse d.
I hve three kids their mom passed away their all in elementry school how can i get ssi if she was undocumented .
Vonda
We are very sorry for your loss, Jesse. You and your family could be eligible for benefits based on the earnings of a worker who died. The deceased person must have worked long enough to qualify for benefits. For more information, please read How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies.
Carol J.
My daughter died. Her death benefit goes to the father of my 14 year old grand daughter. He has 2 other children with his wife. Grand daughter doesn’t know about death benefit, she has a job and works hard to help take care of herself. Is he held accountable and is the use of the S.S. benefit reviewed?
Vonda V.
Hi Carol, thank you for using our blog. We do ask representative payees to keep records of all payments received and how they are spent or saved. Usually, Social Security will send a “Representative Payee Accounting Report” once a year.
If you think there is benefit misuse, tell Social Security right away. We will investigate all allegations of misuse, gather facts and evidence, and make a decision on whether misuse has occurred. You will receive a letter from Social Security telling you what we found. If we find misuse, Social Security may name a new representative payee or send the benefits to the beneficiary directly. We will then take action to recover the misused money.
Check out our Representative Payee web page for additional details. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Karen A.
What information do you need to apply for ss ? I have a child that his father pasted away?
Vonda V.
We are very sorry for your loss, Karen. The child may be eligible for survivor benefits if the child’s father earned enough Social Security credits through his work. Unmarried children who are under 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when a parent dies.
To inquire about potential benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jeanette G.
My daughter in law died leaving her husband and three children ages 18(in college), 17 and 14. how do we apply
for the dependents benefits
Vonda V.
We are very sorry for your loss, Jeanette. The children may be eligible for survivor benefits if their mother earned enough Social Security credits through her work. Unmarried children who are under 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when a parent dies.
To inquire about potential benefits, he can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or contact his local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Pamela K.
Please be advised it’s necessary for ssa to look at all social security AWARDS IN 2001 TO SEE EXACTLY How much money was stolen from my 3 minor children whose correct awards were 1200.00 each child.. And my awarded sum of 1300 was never paid per every Maryland ssa office.. My children illegally lost all money from deceased biological father when an illegal payment fraud theft scam began on December 2001 by ssa managers in Chambersburg PA and it wasn’t until I proved how why the scam began to pay 3 unentitled Fraudie who lied to collect survivor payments with much money missing unpaid and then listed as. unclaimed unpaid and returned to ssa Maryland yearly by getting the real ssa accounting ledgers from ssa Glen Burnie Maryland did I understand why ssa PA Chambersburg kept saying my husband had another wife named Pamela at another address in PA which can easily be disputed… I gave ssa the original marriage license from hagerstown Maryland which had a mistake in bill Kimmell birth year.. He was born on 2 2 1957 not 2 2 1955…no one believed that mistake needed to ever be corrected… And I proved to ssa my dead husband always resided in my home with my 3 minor sons and I but why the fuck did ssa Chambersburg pay the wrong woman using a fake photo driver license.. Maryland offices concluded insider fraud did to wit occur and it was never any mistake… It was proven fraud per a female judge in PA and per 5 other agencies ssa offices and IRS… So why didn’t I collect my award?? Why did my 3 kids loose money?? They dropped from 1200 to 726. I dropped from 1300 to only 215…thats criminal… Ssa cannot switch records to pay lowest record after death… My 3 kids were never to collect from my disability record per 3 lawyers.. So why the fuck did ssa PA allow other people to Robb my kids and I and lied to me across 19 years… I found the evidence very easily.. Only an idiot would miss the evidence printed from 3 banks and ssa accounting ledgers and ssa payments and yearly incorrect child benefit forms and my ss 1099 forms showing double money we never got paid.. That scam was easy to commit… And it’s real. Ssa Chambersburg was run by common criminals per 2 lawyers who proved the same scams to Robb widows and kids had been on going across many years…. I want my money… And Pamela Kimmell lived at 1977 Strathmore place
…. Perkungie PA. And she’s using a fake photo driver. License. Younger than me and is a retired wealthy investor per merchant and trust bank and Delaware trust bank James Roland Phelps age 91 had his stolen 990.00 a month direct deposit to bank of America in Linthicum Maryland 21080 where he lived at 5909 Linthicum lane in Linthicum Maryland 21090 evidence cannot be dismissed by ssa. March April 2002 my kids lost all their survivor awards and 3 other criminals collected my damn money for. Me and my 3 sons. That is true crimes.. Easy to prove too… Pamela Phelps Kimmell at 2143 B WOOD STREET IN LATROBE PA 15650