How to apply for Social Security survivor benefits for my kids after their mom died?

I'm so sorry for your loss. You should definitely go to the SSA office in person for this. Survivor benefits for children can't be applied for online through MySocialSecurity. Bring birth certificates for both kids, your wife's death certificate, marriage certificate, her Social Security number, and the kids' Social Security cards. Also bring your own ID and SS card. They'll need to see original documents, not copies. The children's benefits will be based on your wife's earnings record.

so sorry man, went thru this 2 yrs ago. def go IN PERSON!!! online is a disaster for survivor stuff. make sure u have ORIGINALS of everything. they rejected me first time cuz I had photocopies. ur kids can get about 75% of what ur wife would have gotten at FRA (full retirement age) split between them. they get it til they turn 18.

When my sister died last year leaving 3 kids, her husband tried calling SSA for weeks but couldn't get through! So frustrating! He finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent and schedule an appointment. Saved him hours of redial hell. They have a demo video too: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU

I'm a former SSA employee, and I can offer some guidance. For survivor benefits for children, you absolutely must apply in person or by phone - this cannot be done online, regardless of whether you have access to your late wife's MySocialSecurity account. The benefits are payable from the month of death if you apply within 6 months. Bring these documents: 1. Original death certificate 2. Children's original birth certificates showing your wife as mother 3. Your marriage certificate 4. Your wife's W-2 or tax return from last year 5. Children's Social Security cards 6. Your ID and Social Security card The most efficient approach is to call the national number (1-800-772-1213) to schedule an appointment rather than walking in. The children may each receive up to 75% of your wife's Primary Insurance Amount, though there is a family maximum that may reduce the total payout.

I'm so sorry about your wife. When my husband died, I had a terrible time with all the paperwork while dealing with grief. My advice is to MAKE A LIST of all the documents everyone mentioned here before you go. The SS office in my city was packed and after waiting 3 hours they told me I was missing one document and had to come back!! I was so upset I broke down crying right there. Also do you know if your wife had any life insurance through her job? That's separate from social security but important to check.

Be prepared for a LONG WAIT when you go in person. The SSA offices are SEVERELY understaffed since COVID!!! When I went for my disability hearing, people were waiting 4+ HOURS!!! And they treat you like a number not a person going through trauma. Make sure you bring snacks and something to keep the kids occupied if you have to bring them. The system is BROKEN!!!!!

As others have mentioned, survivor benefits require an in-person or phone application. One important point: you should apply as soon as possible because benefits are only retroactive for up to 6 months from your application date. Even if your application isn't perfect, it's better to establish that filing date. Regarding documentation, the SSA can often verify birth and death records electronically now, but it's still best to bring originals if you have them. If you're missing any documents, still go to your appointment - they can often help you obtain what you need. As the surviving parent, you may also be eligible for benefits if you're caring for children under 16, called "mother's or father's benefits" (despite the gendered name, it applies to either parent). This is separate from your own retirement benefits. If the phone lines are busy (which they almost always are), you can also request an appointment through the SSA website: https://www.ssa.gov/contactus/

dont 4get youll need separate bank accounts for the kids benefits! SSA requires benefits for minors to go into dedicated accounts. they told my cousin she couldn't use her regular account for her kid's survivors benefits. had to open a new one as representative payee.

To address your original question about appointments - yes, you should definitely schedule one rather than just showing up. As others have mentioned, wait times can be extremely long, especially in busy offices. If you're having trouble getting through on the 800 number, try calling right when they open (8:00 AM Eastern time) or in the last hour before they close (5:30-6:30 PM Eastern). Thursdays and Fridays tend to have slightly shorter wait times than Mondays. Alternatively, check if your local office has a direct number listed. Some do provide direct lines on their local office pages that can be found through the SSA office locator: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp

I'm so sorry for your loss, Luca. Going through this process while grieving is incredibly difficult. Based on what others have shared, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help: Since you're having trouble getting through on the phone, consider visiting your local office first thing in the morning when they open - many offices allow walk-ins for urgent matters like survivor benefits, and you'll avoid the afternoon rush. Bring a book or tablet to keep yourself occupied during the wait. Also, when you do get your appointment, ask about expedited processing. Survivor benefits for children are considered priority cases, and they may be able to fast-track your application given your circumstances. One thing I haven't seen mentioned - make sure to ask about any lump-sum death benefit ($255) that may be available. It's not much, but every bit helps during this difficult time. Take care of yourself during this process. The paperwork and waiting can be frustrating, but you're doing the right thing by getting these benefits for your kids. They'll provide important financial support as you all navigate this new chapter.