Oct 4, 2024
When Minnesota Governor Tim Walz accepted his Democratic vice presidential nomination, he gave a nod to Social Security survivor benefits, which helped his family get through a rough patch when he was 19 years old.
During Walz’s speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, he said his father had left behind a “mountain of medical debt” when he passed away from lung cancer, and that he “thank[s] God for Social Security survivor benefits.”
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While his stay-at-home mom had to go find work “because the medical bills broke her,” he also credited Social Security survivor benefits for giving families like his a chance to “live with dignity.”
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Here’s how survivor benefits can support children with a deceased parent.
How many children receive survivor benefits?
About 2.7 million children currently receive Social Security benefits, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Children can also qualify if a living parent is living with a disability or retired, up to a maximum family benefit. Of those, more than 2 million receive survivor benefits, with an average monthly check of $1,103 (as of August 2024).
Monthly checks are based on the deceased parent’s earnings, which typically works out to more than $1,000 a month, paid out until the child turns 18 or 19 — so long as they’re unmarried and still in school.
Qualified beneficiaries typically receive about 75% of the deceased parent’s benefit. The SSA estimates that survivor 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.”
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Why not everyone receives survivor benefits
Many children never receive survivor benefits because they don’t know they’re eligible. Social Security is typically associated with retirees, rather than family survivors. In some cases, the surviving parent, guardian or caregiver may not be aware that survivor benefits are available to children. And unfortunately, this has led to a significant racial gap between those who collect benefits and those who don’t.
SSA data from 2021 found that only roughly 26% of Black children who have lost a parent are receiving survivor benefits compared to the 46% of non-Black children who are receiving benefits.
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Even if the surviving parent or guardian is aware of survivor benefits, navigating the application process can be challenging — especially when a family is grieving the loss of a loved one. They might miss out because they’re unable to answer the SSA’s questions or provide the right documentation.
For example, when applying for benefits, you require:
- The child’s birth certificate (or proof of adoption in certain circumstances)
- The child’s Social Security number
- Proof of the parent’s death
- The deceased parent’s Social Security number
You also need to apply within two years after the parent’s death. The longer a family waits, the more a child could miss out, since retroactive payments only go back six months. Plus, you can’t apply online; you have to apply in person or over the phone. As a result, it’s easy for children to fall through the cracks when it comes to survivor benefits.
Those who think they’re eligible for survivor benefits can call 800-772-1213 or visit their local Social Security office to find out more.
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Vawn Himmelsbach is a veteran journalist who covers tech, business, finance and travel. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, CBC News, Yahoo Finance, MSN, CAA Magazine, Travelweek, Explore Magazine and Consumer Reports.
