- The SSA pays survivor's benefits in monthly installments by check or by direct deposit. You should apply for benefits as soon as possible after the death of a loved one, since benefits won't always be retroactive after a long delay. A stepchild's benefit amount relates to how much the deceased person made during his working years, meaning his benefits will be higher if the stepparent had a high salary and paid more into Social Security.
- Stepchildren are eligible for benefits as long as they are dependent, unmarried and under 18. They may also receive benefits if under 19 and in secondary school full time, or if they are under 22 and disabled. A disabled stepchild 22 or older may also receive benefits if the disability happened before age 22.
- A deceased stepparent must have met work qualifications for his family to receive survivor's benefits. He must have earned at least 40 credits from working and paying Social Security taxes, which usually equates to 10 years of work. However, the deceased person's spouse and dependent children can still get survivor's benefits if the deceased earned six work credits in the year and a half before his death.
- You can apply for survivor's benefits by phone or in person at the Social Security office in your town (see Resources). To apply by phone, call 800-772-1213. A surviving stepchild will need to provide her Social Security number and personal information, citizenship status, and information about any Social Security benefits she currently receives. You will also need to provide work and personal information about the deceased family member, and a marriage certificate.
previous post