Social Security Pays Benefits to Children After the Death of a Parent
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: June 20, 2024
When many people think of Social Security, retirement springs to mind. But did you know that about 2.7 million children receive Social Security? More than half of these children get benefits after the death of a parent who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
In fact, 98 out of 100 children in this country could get Social Security if a working parent dies. In some cases, the child’s surviving parent is eligible for benefits as well.
The death of a parent can have negative financial, health, and educational effects on children, according to research by David Weaver of the University of South Carolina published in Population Review in 2019. When tragedy happens, we can help.
Social Security benefits are very valuable for surviving children and their families. They come from all walks of life and all races and ethnicities, income levels, geographic locations, and more.
We estimate that Social Security Survivors Insurance is equivalent to a life insurance policy with a face value of $930,000 for a young worker with average earnings who leaves behind a spouse and two children.
We base the monthly benefit amount on the earnings of the deceased parent. The average surviving child benefit is more than $1,000 per month. We pay benefits until the child turns 18 or 19, if the child is in high school, and is not married. A stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild, or adopted child may be eligible for monthly benefits under certain circumstances.
Survivors benefits may be payable to an adult child of a deceased worker, if they have a disability that began before age 22, they are not able to work, and meet all eligibility requirements.
If a child in your life has lost a parent, it’s important for the child’s family to reach out to us as soon as possible. The date you contact us to file an application can affect when the child’s benefits begin.
You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We can usually schedule an appointment in 30-60 days. We will let you know what information you need to apply. We provide free interpreter services by phone or in person in your local Social Security office.
To learn more, visit our Survivors Benefits and Parents and Guardians webpages.
Please share this information with your friends and family who may need it – and post it on social media.
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Tags: Children, equity, Social Security benefits, survivors benefits
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Emily
My daughter died leaving three small children and her fiancé behind. Does his income affect the amount the kids receive? She worked and they are eligible for her ss.
S.S.
Hi, Emily. We are sorry for your loss. As surviving children, they may each be due up to 75% of your deceased basic benefit amount. You’ll find more information in our “Benefits For Children” pamphlet.
Most minor children who receive Social Security benefits must have a representative payee. For more details, check out our Representative Payee web page. If you have additional questions, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 or your local office. You’ll find the phone number using our Social Security Office Locator. We hope this helps.
Mary E.
This was a good article, my dad died in 2020. I got a letter Feb. 2024 that said we may owe you money or you may owe use money. So I went in there (because I had been getting SSI since I was 18 in 2007 when I found out I could get it, but Ive been born disbaled all my life since I was born 1989) and asked what the letter meant. They said well lets look on the computer they looked and said it says someone in your family died I said yes my dad but that was yrs ago in 2020 and we’re in 2024. So then they said well you might be getting his retirement money or something. They did a phone interview April 24th 2024. Then I got 2 letters in Sept. 2024 1 letter said I wouldnt be getting ssi ($943) anymore because they approved me of my dads money. The second letter said I was approved his money, but this letter said Id get paid on the 3rd wednesday each month. HOWEVER I ended up getting paid on Oct 3rd instead. Can’t figure out why the letter was wrong and said the 3rd wednesday instead of Oct. 3rd. I did get paid $943 on Oct 1st because they said it was too late to stop payments in Sept. but that I wont be getting $943 in November. Its all very confusing. I also am supposed to get back pay but don’t know when.
Angie
Hello
My friends wife died 6 yrs ago.
He only gets social security benefits for
Each of the kids.
They had 3.
Why dont he also receive social security check for him self also ?
Linda
My cousin was recently killed in a violent carjacking. He was undocumented but he had an ITIN and paid taxes for the past decade. He is survived by his 2 year old daughter. Is she eligible for SS survivor benefits based on her status (she is a citizen) and my cousin’s tax payment/work history?
Amanda
My child’s dad died in 2022 he was 38 , she is 3 yrs old , I know he didn’t work a whole lot in in life time due to incarceration. Does she qualify to receive benefits?
S.S.
We are sorry for your loss, Amanda. You can find out what information you’ll need to apply for surviving child’s benefits here. You cannot apply for survivors benefits online, but you may want to prepare for your interview by reviewing the online Application for Survivors Benefits.
Most minor children who receive Social Security benefits must have a representative payee. For more details, check out our Representative Payee web page. If you have additional questions, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 or your local office. You’ll find the phone number using our Social Security Office Locator.To learn more about survivors benefits, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Allison
Hi, my husband of 26 yrs passed away October the 1st 2023. He was disabled for the last 10 years of his life and I was a home care nurse but had to quit my job to take care of him. Our son was 16 when he passed away and turned 17 the next month. The house we lived in for 17 years belong to my husband and his two siblings in which they inherited from their mother and father they just deceased. Before I could get home from the funeral his brother and sister we’re at the house getting his two vehicles and whatever they wanted. His sister had us evicted by December 31st 2023. I have osteoporosis, severe anxiety with panic attacks, I constantly over worry, And I have OCD. My son is legally blind without his eyeglasses his vision is 20/400. He turns 18 November 14th so I’m not even sure if we get a check for November. I should have already checked into it but my mind has been crazy since the day died. I can remember hearing a long time ago that the spouse is awarded 12 months support but I can’t find it anywhere. We will be facing eviction again without help quick and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if I need to attorney and go to probate court about the property. Being that it’s inherited I don’t know that I have any rights to the property when it sells. We will more than likely be homeless before anything goes through if anything goes through it all because I didn’t face reality until now and my son is not in school He’s in the process of getting his GED. Any advice would be so appreciated and I think you so much. Without Social Security I don’t know what we had done to get where we are now and I’m very appreciative. Also I don’t know if he has 401K anywhere I know that he worked all his life is an electrician Foreman. If so am I entitled to apply for that or who do I get in touch with I’m just really confused
S.S.
We’re sorry for your loss, Allison. As his surviving spouse, you may be able to receive monthly survivors benefits. You can also find out what information you’ll need for surviving child’s benefits here. You cannot apply for survivors benefits online, but you may want to prepare for the interview by reviewing the online Application for Survivors Benefits. For more information, visit our Survivors Planner.
You may also be eligible to apply for other benefits. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that makes payments to adults and children with disabilities who have limited income and resources. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are based on a worker’s earnings. Our definition of disability is the same for both the SSI and SSDI programs – you must be unable to work because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or end in death. To learn about the differences between the two programs, visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
Please continue working with your local Social Security office. If you are unable to visit the local Social Security office, you can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Barbara L.
My friend was recently awarded DAC benefits starting September 3, 2024. The amount of her DAC benefit will make her ineligible for SSI benefits which she has been receiving since 1978. However, SSA sent her an SSI check on September 1, 2024 and reduced her DAC check by the amount of her SSI check. I thought DAC benefits were supposed to replace SSI benefits, not supplement them if the DAC amount is greater than the maximum amount allowed under the SSI program. Will SSA continue to do this or is this just what happens when transitioning from SSI to DAC benefits? Also, when will her retroactive and backpay be issued?
Tucker J.
My father died when I was 16. I was supposed to be getting social security money until I was out of highschool. I never saw a dime of it because my mom took it and spent it. But it was to my family’s understanding it was for me. As she received her own benefits from his life insurance/etc.
Mariel H.
My mother passed 20 years ago and I was not aware of applying for this. Is it too late to apply for any benefits since I am over the age of 22?
Cheryl
Your father would have been the one to apply for the benefit. Are you sure he didn’t receive it?