Survivor Benefits for Children

When you hear about Social Security, retirement likely comes to mind. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) every month disburses payments to millions of children with a parent who is deceased, disabled or retired. Survivor benefits are for children whose parent, grandparent or stepparent passed away and worked for at least half of the last three years. A surviving child can get up to 75% of a deceased parent’s Social Security benefit. Here’s how it works.

A financial advisor can help you plan for the future so your family will be taken care of if something happens to you.

What Are Survivor Benefits for Children?

Survivor benefits for children are a type of financial support provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the United States to children whose parent(s) have passed away and were covered under Social Security. These benefits aim to provide a safety net for the surviving family, helping to ensure that children can meet basic living expenses despite the loss of a wage-earning parent.

To qualify, the deceased parent must have earned sufficient Social Security credits during their working years. Benefits are typically available to biological children, adopted children, and, in some cases, stepchildren or dependent grandchildren.

The benefits generally continue until the child turns 18, or up to 19 if they are still enrolled full-time in high school. If a child has a disability that began before age 22, they may qualify for benefits beyond this age limit. The amount a child receives depends on the earnings record of the deceased parent, with the monthly benefit typically being a percentage of the parent’s Social Security benefit.

In addition to the monthly payments, survivor benefits offer a way for families to maintain continuity in their quality of life after the loss of a loved one. Applying for these benefits requires submitting necessary documentation, such as proof of the parent’s death, the child’s birth certificate, and the parent’s earnings record. These benefits serve as a vital resource for ensuring that children can thrive and achieve a sense of normalcy despite the emotional and financial hardships caused by the loss of a parent.

How Do Survivor Benefits Work?

If a child has a parent who works enough to earn Social Security in retirement and passes away, the child is eligible for survivor benefits. The child can receive payments until they turn 18, with two exceptions. First, if the child is still finishing high school, they can receive payments until 19. Second, a child with a disability that began before age 22 can receive survivor benefits throughout their entire life.

Stepchildren, grandchildren, step-grandchildren and adopted children may also be eligible for survivor benefits. Plus, a surviving spouse caring for a surviving child will receive payments until the child turns 16.

A working parent must have worked for at least a year and a half in the three years leading up to their death to activate survivor benefits. That said, a working parent who earns more throughout their lifetime can leave a bigger benefit. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will send as much as 75% of the parent’s primary insurance amount (PIA) to the surviving child. The SSA derives PIA from the parent’s age and average monthly income.

However, the SSA limits how much one family can receive in survivor benefits. Typically, the maximum is between 150% and 188% of the PIA. So, even if the parent leaves behind five children and a spouse, their survivor benefits cannot combine to exceed that amount.

Types of Child Social Security Benefits

Navigating the Social Security system can be daunting, especially when it comes to understanding the benefits available for children. Whether it’s due to the loss of a parent, a parent’s disability, or the child’s own qualifying condition, Social Security offers a range of support to help ensure financial stability during challenging times. These benefits, designed to provide essential aid to families, fall into several distinct categories. From survivor benefits to disability-related assistance, knowing the types of Social Security benefits available for children can empower families to access the help they need. Children may qualify for one of the following:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A child with a physical or mental disability can receive SSI if they are less than 18 and are in a low-income family. Children receive SSI payments due to disability instead of the death of a parent.

Social Security Dependent: A child with a living parent, stepparent, or grandparent who receives Social Security payments can receive additional Social Security payments. These installments help retired or disabled caretakers pay for their children’s upbringing.

Child Survivor Benefits: If a parent, grandparent or stepparent passed away and worked for at least a year and a half out of the last three years, their children or grandchildren can receive payments until they finish high school or reach age 19, whichever comes first.

Who Qualifies for Survivor Benefits

In addition to the requirements outlined above, a child must be in school between kindergarten and high school to qualify for survivor benefits. When a child finishes high school, turns 19 or gets married, they no longer qualify for survivor benefits unless they are disabled. If a child has a disability that started before age 22, they can receive survivor benefits for life.

Likewise, surviving spouses can receive benefits, regardless of whether they have children. In addition, surviving spouses receive an extra payment if they are caring for a surviving child younger than 16.

When Does the Child Apply For Benefits?

A child should apply for Survivor Benefits as soon as possible after the death of a parent to ensure they begin receiving the financial support they are entitled to without unnecessary delays. Survivor benefits are available to children if the deceased parent had worked and paid into the Social Security system for a sufficient period based on their age. Here are the key points about when and how a child applies for survivor benefits:

Immediate Application Post-Death: The application should be initiated promptly after the parent’s death. Survivor benefits can be paid retroactively, but only for a limited period, so delaying the application could result in lost benefits.
Age Requirements:
- A biological, adopted, or dependent stepchild is typically eligible if they are under 18 years old.
- For children still in high school, benefits may extend up to age 19.
- A child with a qualifying disability that began before age 22 can receive benefits indefinitely, as long as they meet other eligibility requirements.
Documentation Needed: To apply, the child’s parent, guardian, or representative will need:
- The child’s birth certificate.
- The deceased parent’s Social Security number.
- Proof of the parent-child relationship, such as adoption papers if applicable.
- The deceased parent’s death certificate.
Where to Apply: Applications can be made by contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA) directly. This can be done through a local SSA office, by phone, or on their official website. SSA representatives are available to guide families through the process.

Applying as soon as possible ensures the child can receive financial support quickly, helping to ease the financial burden during a challenging time.

Can a Surviving Child Receive Benefits After 18?

The surviving child can receive benefits after age 18 if they are still in elementary or high school. However, payments will end two months after the child turns 19, regardless of their education status. As noted earlier, a child can receive benefits for their entire life if they have a disability that started before age 22.

Key Considerations: Survivor Benefits for Children

Survivor benefits can be crucial for helping children afford the essentials and finish high school. However, a child will forfeit benefits if they get married, even if they’re under age 19 and still in high school.

In addition, the children receive benefits according to the family maximum the SSA calculates. A family – including surviving spouses and children – generally cannot receive more than 188% of the deceased parent’s Social Security benefit. Plus, an individual child can receive 75% of their deceased parent’s Social Security benefit at most. As a result, families may have to split the benefit among multiple surviving children.

Bottom Line

Survivor benefits can help children make it through high school if the breadwinner of the family passes away. Generally, survivor benefits stop once the child graduates unless they have a disability. A surviving child can receive 75% of their parent’s Social Security payment, while entire families can collectively receive up to 188%. Therefore, the benefit can compensate for a deceased parent’s lost income.

Financial Tips for Families

Caring for children can be expensive, especially if you’re a single parent. As a result, being financially organized and disciplined is essential. A financial advisor can help you budget, save, and make the most of every dollar with a sound financial plan. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Survivor benefits stop before a child enters college. Fortunately, you can use different strategies to afford higher education for your child. Explore this guide on setting up a college fund for kids for more.