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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Dave
My father passed away when I was a kid about 30 years ago.
Would I be able to go back that far or at least the 8 yrs from age 10-18 to receive his survival social security benifits
Chelli M.
This is SAD. Students need support financially while in college. This encourages theft, homeless growth, drugs. SAD.
Nancy P.
I never married and never had children, I am 65 and have chosen to delay receiving my Social Security benefits until age 70. If I die before age 70 what happens to my benefits I worked a lifetime to earn? Do they go to my estate? Is there a required period that benefits must be distributed?
Alea S.
Nope! No one gets your benefits. When you die, no matter if you are 70 or not, no more SS will be paid to you — and since there are no children under 18/19, nor a spouse — there will never be a payout to anybody. The money stays in the system. Benefits last until you die — SS continues no matter how long you live. My Mom got them from ages 62-95!
Regis W.
I am 80 years old and I have a 3 year old and an 8 year old son. If I should die will they get any Social Security payments??? What about the wife, will she get anything???
She has never worked and I have worked and paid social security for many years.
T.Y.
Hi, Regis. Thanks for your question and for reading our blog. When a person dies, their minor children may be eligible for survivors benefits if they are under age 18 and unmarried. If they are over 18 and have a disability that began before age 22, they may be eligible as well. Our Survivors Benefits publication provides more information about a child’s eligibility for survivors benefits when a parent dies. A surviving spouse caring for a child under age 16 could receive 75% of the deceased worker’s benefit amount. For more information on survivors benefits visit our survivors page. We hope this information helps.
Judith A.
Hi my son’s father just died he’s 5 years old how can I apply for the help I really need it. He’s mom is not willing to help I think she wants to claim everything but when he got sick and was in the hospital they did he’s disability paper work and he’s make was put down on there as well as he’s other 2 older kids
Alea S.
Go to the SS website and apply. All the children will get the same amount — which is based on your son’s father’s income he had paid into SS. His mother cannot stop you. Apply now! His mother does not qualify for benefits — except perhaps for a couple hundred dollars for funeral costs if she paid to bury/cremate him. The children get benefits!
Andrely y.
Mi hijo tiene 17 años . Su padre falleció cuando mi hijo tenía 4 años de edad. Nunca hemos pedido ayuda al seguro social. Su papá trabajo poco su seguro. Pero yo aún tengo esperanza de tener este tipo de apoyo para mí hijo. Que puedo hacer?
Andrely y.
Hola soy Andrely. Tengo un hijo q quizá puede ser elegible. Su papá murió en 2010 y el niño aún es menor de edad. Cómo podría aplicar para este beneficio del seguro de sobrevivientes?
S.S.
Hi, Andrely. For information in Spanish, please visit us at http://www.segurosocial.gov, Administración del Seguro Social http://www.facebook.com/segurosocial. Thanks!
Andrea M.
My daughters father just passed is there anyway I can get any help with benefits. As far as I know he’s never worked either.
Molly J.
I was told that a parent did not work long enough to get survivor benefits. This is disturbing because I know several families that moved over here from overseas and their families get benefits for their elderly parents. What can I do or how can i find out why my son’s adoptive children are not getting benefits?
Quacy M.
use the money or Survivors Benefits to resurrect the parent and bring them back to life
Teresa
My grand kids already get social security from their descend mother not much.im their payee grandmother I’m sentring up for my social security at 62 can they get my social security now living me me
T.Y.
Hello, Teresa. Thanks for reading our blog. Generally, Social Security can only pay benefits to grandchildren if certain conditions are met. The biological parents of the children must be deceased or have a disability. or the grandchild must be legally adopted. For more information, please visit our Parents and Guardians | SSA webpage. We hope this helps!
Debra A.
A question moreso than comment. I am on SSI. My father, a History teacher passed away when I was 16. I am now 54. Can I collect his social security?
S.S.
Hi, Debra. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. An adult who has a disability that began before age 22 may be eligible for benefits if their parent is deceased or starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. We consider this a “child’s” benefit because it is paid on a parent’s Social Security earnings record. For more information about Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits, visit our Disability Planner. We hope this information helps.