Collecting Social Security Survivor Benefits?

cybergrannie
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March 15, 20180 found this helpful

Social Security will have to make the final decision on whether you and/or your children qualify for survivor benefits.

• The general SS rule is as follows:
• A parent has to work for about 10 years and earn 40 social security credits before their children are eligible for any survivor's benefits.
• That being said there is also a lesser known "rule" that may benefit you.
• You do not state the age of your husband but younger workers may not have to have that number. Of course, I do not know how many credits your husband had so the SSA may have already applied this rule when they figured that your children did not qualify.
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• Here is the statement from the SS web site so you can at least return to the SS and ask if this could apply to your husband.
• "The number of credits you need to have family members be eligible for survivors benefits depends on your age when you die. The younger you are, the fewer credits you need, but nobody needs more than 40 credits (10 years of work)."
• "Under a special rule, we can pay benefits to your children and your spouse who is caring for the children even if you don't have the number of credits needed. They can get benefits if you have credits for one and one-half year's work (6 credits) in the three years just before your death."
• If your husband does not qualify under this rule then there is probably no way for you to receive survivor benefits.
• If you are not receiving government entitlements for your children (and you need assistance) then you should look up all the programs that are available to you - of course you have to qualify for each program.
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• Medicaid may also be available for your children so seek help if you need it.

Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts

March 15, 20180 found this helpful

Social security is the one who has the final say.

poehere
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts

March 15, 20180 found this helpful

This can happen and many people have the same problem. If you've been there and they have indicated that he didn't not make enough money or worked enough to pay into the system, then it will be hard to get the money.