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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Janet S.
My grandson has been receiving ssi from when his mom passed away he turned eighteen in sept. bus is a senior in his high school. He has not yet gotten this months check what do I do. I am his guardian and grandparent
L.A.
Hi Janet. Thanks for your question. If your grandson is age 18, but still a full-time student at a secondary (or elementary) school, it is possible that his benefits will continue until he graduate or until two months after you turn age 19, whichever is first. Generally, we send students a form to verify their school attendance. If your grandson may need to contact his local Social Security office. Your grandson can also call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with one of our representatives, from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, he may have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. We hope this helps.
Shirley h.
My son just lost his fatheron september 20th and his father did not have a social security number and my son is 7 years old.what kind of help would my son be eligible for?
A.C.
Hi, Shirley. We are sorry to hear about your loss. For information about survivors benefits, check out our publication, How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Alverta D.
My son receives SSI and unfortunately, his dad just passed away. What do I need to do to get his benefits for my son?
L.A.
Hi Alverta. We’re sorry to hear about your loss. Your son may be eligible for a lump-sum death benefit of $255 (a one-time payment). Also, your son may also be eligible to receive monthly Social Security survivors benefits on his father’s Social Security earnings record. Please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0885) between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday for assistance. You may also contact your local Social Security office. For more information, please read our publication titled “How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies.” We hope this helps.
Ronnie (.
I have never in my life witnesses so much CORRUPTION! Every log in on this device is a third party app. I canceled my AT&T services in 2018 because my account was taken over & my Database was broken into. All my accounts from Banking Accounts, Insurance Accounts, My Cox Cable Billling, I received a medical bill yesterday that shows an account for Medicare & Medicaid, I have no insurance policy I’d cards, I’m 51 years old & I do not have a disability. I tried to get help with such corruption but know one wants to help me. I cannot afford another device & rather I have secured internet or not they still scan my device.
Hailey
I am 18 years old and I just have graduated a month ago. However , I still am a student. I’m going to community college and paying for everything I need to become a nurse out of pocket and I’m unemployed. My father passed away on February 21rst of this year and received benifits. SSI . And my mother and sibling’s gets assistance as well such as food stamps and medicaid .. would I qualify
Sean
My son is almost 18 & in High school I know he will still get the SsI, but why does he believe HE will receive a seperate amount taken from the money sent to me as payee?
L.A.
Hi, Sean. Thanks for your question. Your son has the right to receive his own Supplemental Security Income check once he is 18 unless Social Security believes he is not capable of managing or directing the management of his money. This may be what he is referring to. For his security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Krislyn L.
It doesn’t say if mother is disabled collecting did check and her child father dies and shes pregnant is there any help for her
Dolores H.
I have prement custody of my grandson when my daughter was pregnant with him she was married to someone else but they weren’t together when she got pregnant he lived in Texas the guy that is his dad got killed in car wreck before she had him can I draw off him and how do I go about it
Beth T.
Hi, I have recently taken over guardianship of and 8 year old. His father died a couple years back. Now I am hearing conflicting stories of what this ss money can be used for and also if I need to save any or all receipts too.
Can you please direct me to the proper way as to use this funds!
Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Beth. For more information about your responsibilities as a representative payee, check out our publication, A Guide for Representative Payees. We hope this helps.
jamie s.
I recently lost my husband of 19 years he was only 45 and the bread winner of the home. Ihad just started drawing a widows pension from my usband earnings we have wo children 13 and 16 however the grandfather hs petitioned for custody of my children and was denied a temp order ad later given temp custody. Now I still am responsible because Im mom for making rent and car payment school clothes ets’ so y question is without a order of permancy or sole custody with just a temp order how did that stop my benefts