Social Security benefits can be applied for by a child.
People think of Social Security as a retirement program.2 million children who have had a parent die receive 1.5 billion in survivor benefits each month according to the U.S. Social Security Administration.Children of any age who were disabled before the age of 22 are eligible for benefits, as are children who are 19 and still attending secondary school.Social Security survivor benefits for children are intended to make up for lost income after a parent's death.Expenses associated with housing, feeding, clothing, educating, and providing other necessities of life can be paid for using them.
Step 1: Understand eligibility.
The deceased must have earned a certain number of credits in order to be eligible for benefits.A worker can earn up to four credits a year.One credit was earned for every $1,220 of wages or self-employed income.The worker's age will affect the amount of credits needed.There were less credits required for survivor's benefits for the younger person.No age group requires more than 40 credits.If the deceased earned six credits in the last three years of his or her life, benefits will not be denied.
Step 2: You can get certified birth certificates.
You will need your birth certificate to apply for survivor's benefits for children.You will need a birth certificate if you don't have one.Birth certificates can be obtained through VitalChek.If your child is adopted, you will need a copy of the adoption certificate.You will choose your state after you enter the name of the person whose birth certificate you are buying.You will be asked to choose the city in which the person was born.
Step 3: A death certificate is needed.
A death certificate is needed for the deceased.There is information on how to acquire a death certificate.
Step 4: You can get a copy of your marriage certificate.
You would need a divorce certificate if you were divorced from the deceased.VitalChek can be used to purchase marriage and divorce certificates.
Step 5: You can find the deceased's tax forms.
You will need a copy of the deceased's most recent W-2 form or self-employment form.If you were divorced from the deceased and don't have access to his or her tax records, you should contact the estate's administrator.If you want to get tax information from the IRS, you need the permission of the executor.You will need tax forms to show how much income your children have made.
Step 6: Social Security numbers can be obtained.
For the deceased, and for any children, you will need Social Security Numbers.You need to apply for a Social Security Number for your child.The Social Security office is where you can do this.You will need to fill out the form at the office.You will need a birth certificate to apply for survivor's benefits.A state-issued identification card is one of the things you will need to establish your child's identity.
Step 7: Call the Social Security Administration.
You can apply for survivor benefits for a child after the date of death.You can't apply online.You can call the toll-free number from 7 a.m. to 7 pm Monday through Friday.People who are hard of hearing should call the TTY line.Call your local Social Security office.To find contact information for the Social Security office closest to you, go to theSocial Security Administration's website, click "Find a social security office," and enter your zip code in the field provided.
Step 8: Don't wait.
You should start the application process as soon as possible.Most of the time, benefits will be retroactive to the date of death, but in some cases, they won't.If the deceased worked long enough for his or her age group, there is a $255 one-time payment available to a spouse or children.The beneficiary must apply within two years of the death.
Step 9: You can visit the Social Security office.
You should arrive at the Social Security office on the day you are told to apply.Fixed appointments are not made by Social Security.If you want to apply for Social Security survivor benefits for a child, you have to show up on a certain day.Arrive at the Social Security office no later than 90 minutes before closing time.
Step 10: Answer all the questions.
The Social Security intake representative will ask you questions.Signing any paperwork presented to you by the Social Security intake representative during the application interview is required.You will get a summary for each child for whom you are applying for benefits from the intake representative.Don't lose this.It is necessary for you to check on the status of your claim later on.All original copies of important documentation should be returned by the intake representative before you leave the office.Before you leave the office, make sure you have a business card with your contact information.If there is a delay in application processing or receipt of benefits, your intake representative is your local, flesh-and-blood contact person.
Step 11: You can check your application on the internet.
Go to www.socialsecurity.gov.You can create an account.You can check for your verification letter from your account.You can change direct deposit online.
Step 12: Get the benefits.
The base benefit amount is used by Social Security.75% of the deceased's benefit is given to a child.A family can get maximums.The limit is between 150% and 180% of the deceased's basic benefit rate.If you have more than 2 children receiving benefits, the amount will be reduced so that the total does not exceed the family maximum.