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.
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Tags: Children, equity, Social Security benefits, survivors benefits
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Stephen p.
Okay so I just got a fully favorable decision by an administrative law judge regarding my child benefits. I’ve been disabled since 1992. The letter mentions 2010 as the onset date for child benefits. Since 2021 I’ve been trying to win this case. This was my 3rd try and I finally won. If there is back pay in my case does it go back to 1992 or 2010 or for three years? Thanks
S.S.
Hi Stephen. Thank you for using our blog. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. It may be best for you to visit your local Social Security office to discuss your claim. Hope this helps!
Yvonne G.
My granddaughter’s dad passed away. Is she eligible for survivors benefit if he never worked? Also she is 21 years old and she is not disabled.
Marc A.
My x-wife died of ALS 2 years ago. My son has been receiving survivor benefits. I just got a letter saying the benefits have stopped because he turns 18 this month. I was aware this was happening but it reads as if he is entitled to still receive benefits after 18 because he is still in school. Previously I thought this was only available after 18 if the child was disabled. He is not disabled. Can he still receive survivor benefits after 18 since he is still going to school? (He is still in his senior year of high school)
David S.
Right. My wife died when my son was12 and when he turned 18, they stopped it. There’s a form you have to go up and get and fill it out.
Hope this helps.
S.S.
Hi, Marc. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Benefits for children generally stop at age 18 unless the child has a disability or is in high school. If your son is still a full-time student, his benefits can continue until age 19. To speak with a representative about your situation, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., or contact your local Social Security office. For more information about benefits for children, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Kristin C.
My minor daughter received disability before age 18. Her father passed away and the survivor benefits were higher. She will be 18 shortly. Will she be able to resume her disability benefits of the survivor benefits stop?
Justin L.
Hello. I have two children under 12 and their mother passed away about two months ago. We were never married and I paid support to her every month as well as had insurance for both of them. I’m going thru the process of getting custodial rights as she was the custodial parent and I was non custodial before her death. I’ve always been there for the kids and never missed any support payments or had lapse of coverage. We got along great and co parented quite well. I struggled financially pretty much the whole time but made it work. I was staying at my parents untill her death and now recently I have moved into her house that she shared with her elderly mother and my kids. I’m helping pay the mortgage now and continuing support for the kids with help from her mom (kids grandma) with getting the kids to and from to school and anything that needs done while I’m at work for 8 to 10 hours during the day. My question is would my children qualify for benefits from their mom to help with everyday costs raising them with hopefully being able to put some away for them both to have for education later in life. Their grandma is 77 and her health is deteriorating but still gets around ok for time being. The mortgage here is too much for me to handle alone and when she does pass I won’t be able to afford the payment plus everything else without her help from her retirement/SS benefit. I just need some direction on what to do from here on out so I can maintain normalcy as much as I can for the kids and hopefully prepare for the day that we will have to find a new home for us 3 eventually. Sorry for the novel.. any advice will be greatly appreciated.
S.S.
We are sorry for your loss, Justin. You can 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.
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.
CC
The information was nicely written and understandable. I did not see a link regarding proof of paternity, and if there was a way to prove paternity for social security survivor benefits, after the state statute of limitations has passed to get a judgment of paternity.
randee l.
i was adopted as a infant by my grandmother. she was receiving social security, she was disabled and was fighting breast cancer. she had passed away when i was 12 years, im now 29. i was put into a foster care that same day.
Am i eligible for any benefits to this day?
S.S.
Hi, Randee. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If your grandmother worked and was insured for Social Security benefits at the time of her passing, you may have received survivors benefits on her work record. We generally pay benefits for a minor child to a representative payee, who manages the payments on the child’s behalf. Monthly benefits are to take care of the child’s food, shelter, medical expenses, and personal needs. Children may be eligible for survivors benefits if they are under age 18 or age 19, if they are in high school, and unmarried. If you have a disability that began before you were 22 and the disabling condition has prevented you from doing substantial work, we may be able to pay survivors benefits to you as a “Disabled Adult Child” (DAC). For more information, visit our Disability Planner.
You may be able to determine if you received survivors benefits with a benefit verification letter. You can get a benefit verification by creating and signing in to your personal my Social Security account. If you have additional questions, you can speak with representative by calling us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Michele
Hi,
Will there be another virtual event? Also, I would like to speak to someone who can address an issue (possibly Kathleen Romig). We’ve been to our local social security office 3 times and nobody seems to know anything. This pertains to kids getting social security after mom’s passing. Thanks
Pauline C.
My dad died last year. I’m 34 year old.. I have been receiving SSI since I was 15 years old.. and I am unable to work. I’m trying to see if I could get Social Security off of my dad.. he were getting retirement and Social Security.. I am 34 years old do not know if I am too old to try to receive Social Security off of him…
S.S.
Hi, Pauline. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If you have a disability that began before you were 22 and the disabling condition has prevented you from doing substantial work, we may be able to pay survivors benefits to you as a “Disabled Adult Child” (DAC). For more information, visit our Disability Planner. If you have additional questions, you can speak with representative by calling us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Lorrie E.
I’m trying to apply for survivor benefits for my grandchildren. The 800 number doesn’t give me information on starting the process. I say “starting survivor benefits” and the automated response goes on about “retirement benefits”. What can I do to begin the process for the kids? I have guardianship of them.
S.S.
We are sorry for your loss, Lorrie. You can 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.
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.