How to apply for Social Security survivor benefits for grandchildren after son's death

I'm very sorry for your loss. Your grandchildren are likely eligible for survivor benefits. Their mother (your ex-daughter-in-law) should be the one to apply since she has custody. She'll need to call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment, as survivor applications can't be done fully online. Documents needed include: death certificate, children's birth certificates, your son's Social Security number, and possibly his most recent W-2 or tax return. The children could each receive up to 75% of your son's basic Social Security benefit, though there's a family maximum limit that might reduce this amount. The benefits can continue until they turn 18 (or 19 if still in high school).

So sorry about ur son. When my sisters husband died last yr she had to bring ALL THE THINGS to SS office. birth certs, marriage cert, death cert, ssn cards for everyone, school records for the kids. Be prepared for a looooong wait even with appointment!!! The money is retro to when you apply so tell her NOT TO WAIT!!!

I went through this exact situation when my daughter passed away two years ago, leaving behind three kids. Your ex-daughter-in-law needs to gather all documentation and make an appointment ASAP! The process is incredibly frustrating - I spent WEEKS trying to get through on the SSA phone line and kept getting disconnected or told to call back later. The offices were still partially closed due to COVID protocols back then, which made everything 10x harder. Eventually I discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual SSA agent within 30 minutes instead of spending days redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. It was the only way I could finally get appointments scheduled for my grandkids' applications. Once we finally got the applications submitted, the benefits started coming about 6 weeks later. The kids each got around $1,250 monthly which has been absolutely essential.

Sorry for your loss. One important point: if your ex-daughter-in-law has significant income, it won't affect the children's benefits. The custodial parent's earnings don't count against the children's survivor benefits. However, if the children themselves have income (unlikely at their ages), that could potentially affect things. Also, make sure your ex-daughter-in-law understands that she'll be the "representative payee" for the kids and will need to complete an annual accounting form showing how the benefits were used for the children's needs. The funds must be used for the children's food, housing, education, medical needs, etc.

I just want to join in saying how sorry I am about the loss of your son. I can't even imagine. My husband's brother died last year leaving 3 kids behind and dealing with SSA was a nightmare on top of all the grief. The backlog is insane. One thing no one mentioned - there might also be a one-time death benefit of $255 that someone can claim (usually goes to the spouse, but might be available for the kids if there was no spouse). It's not much but every bit helps when you're dealing with funeral costs on top of everything else.

Do the kids live in the same state where your son worked? My cousins kids had problems because he worked in New Jersey but the kids lived with their mom in Florida. Something about different processing centers caused delays. Just something to watch out for.

BTW dont let anyone tell u that the kids have to wait til she applies for her own widow benefits!!! Thats wrong!!! The kids can get benefits even if mom never applies for anything herself!! My sisters case worker tried to tell her that and it was a LIE!!!!

Just a follow-up on timing since you asked: There is a slight retroactivity allowed. Benefits can be paid retroactively for up to six months from the date of application. However, benefits cannot start before the month of the wage earner's death. So your ex-daughter-in-law hasn't missed out on anything yet, but it's still best to apply as soon as possible to start the process rolling. Also, the Social Security office might be able to help with expediting the application if they explain the financial hardship the children are experiencing after losing their father's income. Not guaranteed, but sometimes they can prioritize cases with demonstrated urgent need.

My condolences on your loss. Dont forget that if youre helping financially with the grandkids, make sure to document everything in case you can claim them as dependents on your taxes. Might want to talk to a tax person about that situation.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add that when your ex-daughter-in-law calls SSA, she should be prepared for potentially long hold times and have all the documents ready before making the call. From what I've read, it helps to call first thing in the morning (8am local time) when they open, as the lines tend to be less busy then. Also, I wanted to mention that the children's benefits will automatically stop when they turn 18, unless they're still in high school (then it continues until 19 or graduation, whichever comes first). If either child has a disability that began before age 22, they may be eligible for continued benefits as adults, but that would need to be evaluated separately. One more thing - the benefits are paid monthly, usually on the same day each month based on your son's birth date. The first payment might take 1-2 months to arrive after approval, but subsequent payments should be regular. Wishing you and your family strength during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Angel. Losing a child is unimaginable, and it's heartwarming to see how you're stepping up to help your grandchildren during this devastating time. As a newcomer here, I wanted to add one practical tip that might help your ex-daughter-in-law when she applies: she should ask the SSA representative about getting a "receipt" or confirmation number for the application. Sometimes applications can get lost in the system, and having that reference number makes it much easier to follow up on the status. Also, I've heard that some SSA offices are still experiencing staffing shortages, so if the local office seems overwhelmed or unhelpful, don't hesitate to try a different location if there's another one within reasonable distance. The quality of service can vary significantly between offices. One last thing - make sure your ex-daughter-in-law knows that she can appeal if the initial application is denied for any reason. Sometimes there are administrative errors or missing documentation that can be corrected on appeal. The children deserve these benefits, and persistence often pays off. You're being an incredible support system for your grandchildren during the worst time of their lives. They're lucky to have you advocating for them.

I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your son, Angel. As someone new to this community, I want to echo what others have said about acting quickly - the sooner your ex-daughter-in-law applies, the better. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that she should bring multiple copies of all documents to the SSA appointment. Sometimes they need to keep originals or make their own copies, and having extras can prevent delays or additional trips. Also, if your son had any military service, even briefly, that could potentially affect the benefit calculations or provide access to additional survivor benefits through the VA. I'd also suggest that your ex-daughter-in-law write down a list of questions beforehand, including asking about when the first payment might arrive and what to do if payments are delayed. Grief can make it hard to remember everything during these appointments. The fact that your son worked steadily for 15 years is really important - that should definitely qualify the children for benefits. These benefits can make such a difference for your grandchildren's future, helping ensure they have stability during this unimaginably difficult time.