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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Jocelyn M.
God Bless this site and have a wonderful today
i was applied for a benefits of my daughter for survivor child benefits since june 04,2018.my husband passed away on 19th of September 2017.I got my lump sum $250 check but my daughter never receive until now the benefits.As of now I was laid off again and I really need help for the assistance money what ever my daughter got.because even gas money is so hard for me right now. Ive been waiting for so long now and when i called them they said i need to send another documents and probably the bank statement of my husband but when i do request to the bank it would be 500 cost for the whole statement since 2011. Im so really helpless right now and frustrated because of some bills and food for a daily living. I hope if you read this message is someone would help me and i really appreciate.
V.V.
Thank you for contacting us, Jocelyn. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot assist you.
To inquire about your benefits, you will need to contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
L. R.
How do I find out if my father received survivor benefits ( i think its called) until I was 16 when my mother passed. I received SS until i was 18, but I just wanted to know if he receive anything. He’s now deceased and I don’t remember him getting anything.
Bruce B.
my mother passed away and I want to notify SS, how is that done
A.C.
Hi, Bruce. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Typically, funeral homes report deaths to the Social Security Administration directly. You can check with the funeral home to determine if reporting has been done. We hope this helps.
Elizabeth T.
Student graduates from high school, and are planning on going to college in the fall. Will they be able to continue survivor benefits while in college?
Angela
I have one child still receiving survivors benefits from his deceased father, my 2 older daughters have been aged out. All 3 have the same deceased father. My question is can my grandchildren, my oldest daughters children, that I have received full Custody of, receive Survivors benefits! They are the natural blood grandchildren of the deceased, I just recently recently obtained full custody of them out of urgent necessity!
Dm
My grandson receives survivor benefits from my deceased son. His mother worked up until he started getting survivor benefits she no longer works. When his check comes she states “I get paid next Wednesday”. My Grandson has not seen any of the money not is it being saved. She pays the rent on a house her and my grandson live in while her boyfriend is out of state working. All the household bills out of my grandsons money. Then he asks for a wrist band at the fair and she says we have no extra money it was $25.00 but then 30 minutes later she is walking around with 2 beers in her hand says she buys food my grandson asked me grandma then why do we never have food. My grandson receives 1200+ a month and has nothing to show for it since 2016 when payments started. He received almost $40,000.00 already and will be 18 in 2 1/2 years. Should I report her and ask to be his representative payee. My son worked hard to make sure if anything happened to him the kids would be taken care of. Not have the mother quit work and have her son support her on his survivor benefits. Really do not know what to do Any suggestions would help.
R.F.
If you suspect misuse of Social Security benefits, report it. We will investigate all allegations of misuse, gather facts and evidence, and make a decision on whether misuse has occurred. If we find misuse occurred, SSA may find a new representative payee.
Generally, we look for family or friends to serve as representative payees. When friends or family are not able to serve as payees, Social Security looks for qualified organizations to be representative payees.
You can apply to become your grandson’s representative payee. You will need to contact your local Social Security office for a face-to-face interview.
Please read our publication: “A Guide For Representative Payees” for more information.
To make an appointment, please call 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks.
Anni
I am guardian to my minor brother who receives survivor benefits because both of our parents died. Is there a limit to how much money he can have saved in order to keep receiving benefits?
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Anni. The survivor’s benefits your brother is receiving are not affected by other income or other resources.
Normally, benefits for children stop when children reach age 18, unless they are disabled. However, if the child is still a full-time student at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, Social Security benefits will continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child becomes age 19, whichever is first.
There is no limit on how much he can save. Thanks!
Sarina G.
I have some questions, my name is Sarina Goetz, my father died in 2010, when I was 9 years old. from what I know, my adopted parents have been collecting the money and putting it away or using it or my expenses, I just have some questions about what happens to my money when I turn 18.
Please get back to me soon,
Thank you
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Sarina. Normally, benefits for children stop when children reach age 18, unless they are disabled. However, if the child is still a full-time student at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, Social Security benefits will continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child becomes age 19, whichever is first.
Also, at age 18 you become your own payee, and you will be able to manage your funds accordingly.
To learn more, read our publication: “A Guide for Representative Payees“.
Guille A.
Survival benefits for my son he is going to be 18 in January but he still going to high school an I need to setup an appointment at my local office 95020
My name is Guillermina arreola 408 5719642
I need help how to fill out paperwork
V.V.
Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot make an appointment for you.
For help with your paperwork, you will need to contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Barb K.
If a child is receiving SSSB benefits, will the child’s benefit stop if the surviving spouse remarries later on?