Social Security survivor benefits for 18-year-old going to college - will payments continue?

Yes, survivor benefits can continue after age 18 if the child is a full-time student at an elementary or secondary school (high school). However, they typically stop at age 19 or when the student graduates, whichever comes first. Unfortunately, college attendance doesn't qualify for continued survivor benefits under current Social Security rules.

my nephew lost his mom 2 years ago and his benefits stopped right after his 18th birthday even tho he was still in high school!! totally messed up his senior year. they dont care if your in college they just cut you off. system is broken

Sorry about your daughter. I went thru this with my kids after their dad died. The SSA person explained that once they turn 18, benefits only continue if they're still in HIGH SCHOOL, and even then only until they graduate or turn 19. College doesn't count for survivor benefits (which is stupid because college is so expensive). My oldest lost her benefits when she turned 18 even though she started college right away.

Just to clarify what others have said: Social Security survivor benefits for children typically end at age 18. However, if your grandson is still attending high school full-time at age 18, benefits can continue until he graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first. This requires submitting Form SSA-1372 (Student's Statement Regarding School Attendance). Unfortunately, college or vocational school attendance does NOT extend survivor benefits. This is different from how the system worked pre-1981, when college students could receive benefits until age 22. Have your grandson check with his school's financial aid office - there are often special scholarships and grants available for students who have lost a parent.

Just went through this with my son. Let me correct some confusion - the benefits will stop when he turns 18 UNLESS he is still in secondary school (high school). If he's still in high school at 18, you need to fill out form SSA-1372 and the benefits will continue until either graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. BUT - and this is important - attending college does NOT qualify for continued benefits. This changed back in 1981 as part of budget cuts. Before that, benefits would continue until age 22 for college students. Since your grandson turns 18 in May, if he's still completing high school, get that SSA-1372 form submitted ASAP. Otherwise, the benefits will terminate in May regardless of college plans.

Has anyone here tried using Claimyr to reach SSA? After my husband died I was trying to sort out survivor benefits for my teenager and kept hitting brick walls trying to call. Someone recommended Claimyr and they got me connected to a real person at Social Security in about 15 minutes. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - seriously made dealing with SSA so much less painful.

While the news about college isn't great, make sure your grandson applies for FAFSA for college financial aid. Having a deceased parent may qualify him for additional aid. When my niece's father passed, she got much more financial aid than expected. The college financial aid office should be able to help with this process.

I work with families navigating SSA benefits, and I want to address a common misconception: many people confuse Social Security survivor benefits with SSI (Supplemental Security Income). They're completely different programs with different rules. For survivor benefits, as others have correctly stated, payments generally stop at age 18 unless the child is still in high school, in which case they can continue until graduation or age 19. For college expenses, your grandson should: 1. Complete the FAFSA as early as possible (having a deceased parent may qualify him for more aid) 2. Look for scholarships specifically for students who have lost a parent (Life Happens, Kids' Chance, etc.) 3. Check if his parent's employer offered any survivor educational benefits 4. Contact the college financial aid office to explain the situation Wishing you and your grandson all the best during this difficult time.

My niece just went through this. She got a letter from SSA about 3 months before turning 18 explaining that benefits would end. If your grandson didn't get any notice, you should definitely call them. When I had to call SSA about my own retirement benefits, I used the claimyr.com service someone mentioned above. Got through to an agent in 20 minutes after trying for DAYS on my own. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human being!

Thank you everyone for all this information! It's not the news I was hoping for, but at least now we can plan accordingly. I'm going to help my grandson apply for FAFSA and look into those special scholarships for students who have lost a parent. I appreciate all your advice and support during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter. Having gone through something similar, I want to add one more resource that might help your grandson. Many states have their own survivor benefit programs or educational grants for children who have lost a parent. Contact your state's Department of Social Services or Education Department to see what might be available. Also, if your daughter was a veteran or worked for the government, there may be additional educational benefits through those channels. The American Legion and VFW also offer scholarships specifically for children and grandchildren of deceased service members. Every little bit helps when facing college expenses without that Social Security support.

I'm really sorry for your loss. This is such a difficult situation to navigate during an already hard time. I wanted to add that some community colleges have emergency financial aid funds specifically for students facing unexpected hardships like losing a parent. When your grandson enrolls, have him speak with both the financial aid office and student services about his situation. They often have resources that aren't widely advertised. Also, check if your daughter had any life insurance through her employer - sometimes these policies include educational benefits for children that are separate from Social Security. Local churches, community organizations, and even his high school guidance counselor might know about smaller local scholarships too. Don't overlook those - they can really add up and are often less competitive than the big national ones.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter - this must be an incredibly difficult time for your family. I want to add one more avenue that might help your grandson. Many funeral homes and memorial societies offer educational scholarships specifically for students who have lost a parent. It's not widely known, but some of the larger funeral service companies have established funds for this purpose. Also, check if your daughter belonged to any professional associations, unions, or alumni groups - these organizations sometimes have survivor educational benefits that members' families can access. Finally, don't forget to look into work-study programs at the community college. These can provide both income and valuable experience while he's in school. The financial aid office can help connect him with these opportunities. I know it feels overwhelming right now, but there are people and resources out there to help your grandson succeed in college despite this setback.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I understand how stressful this uncertainty must be on top of everything else you're dealing with. Based on my experience helping families navigate these situations, I want to confirm what others have shared and add a few practical next steps. The Social Security survivor benefits will unfortunately end when your grandson turns 18, since college attendance doesn't qualify for continuation (this changed in 1981). However, there are several immediate actions you can take: First, contact his high school guidance counselor about local scholarships - many are specifically for students who've lost a parent and have spring deadlines. Second, complete the FAFSA as soon as possible using your daughter's tax information from 2023, as having a deceased parent often results in more financial aid. Third, when he enrolls at the community college, ask specifically about their emergency financial aid fund and work-study opportunities. Many students don't know these exist. Finally, reach out to your state's higher education agency - some states have grant programs for survivors that are separate from federal aid. While losing those Social Security benefits is definitely a financial blow, there are resources available to help bridge that gap. The key is applying early and often to multiple sources of aid.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter. I went through a similar situation when my husband passed away and our son was 17. The advice here is accurate - Social Security survivor benefits do stop at 18 unless the child is still in high school. Since your grandson graduates in May when he turns 18, the benefits will unfortunately end then. However, I want to add a few resources that helped us: Check if your daughter had any 401k or pension benefits that might include educational provisions for survivors. Also, many credit unions offer scholarships specifically for members' children who have lost a parent. The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors has a scholarship program too. When filling out the FAFSA, make sure to check the box indicating he's lost a parent - this can sometimes result in additional Pell Grant eligibility. Finally, don't overlook asking the community college about payment plans - many will work with families facing financial hardship to spread tuition costs over the semester. Hang in there, and know that many of us have successfully navigated this difficult transition.

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is such a heartbreaking situation, and I can only imagine how overwhelming it must feel to navigate these financial concerns while grieving. I want to add one resource that hasn't been mentioned yet - many state governments have "Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Programs" that provide tuition assistance for children whose parents died in certain circumstances (work-related, military service, etc.). Even if your daughter's death doesn't fall into these specific categories, some states have broader survivor education programs worth investigating. Also, consider reaching out to your local United Way chapter. They often maintain databases of local scholarships and emergency assistance programs that aren't widely advertised online. Sometimes these smaller, community-based funds are less competitive and more responsive to individual circumstances like your grandson's. One last thought - if your daughter had student loans that are now forgiven due to her death, make sure that forgiveness doesn't negatively impact your grandson's FAFSA calculations. The financial aid office at his community college should be able to help ensure his aid package reflects your current family situation accurately. Your grandson is lucky to have you advocating for him during this difficult time. Keep pushing forward - there are people and programs out there designed to help students like him succeed.

I'm so deeply sorry for the loss of your daughter. Having navigated similar waters when my brother passed and left behind two teenage children, I understand how overwhelming this must be on top of your grief. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the Social Security benefits ending at 18 (unfortunately accurate), but I wanted to add a few things that helped my family: 1. **Employer benefits check** - Beyond just life insurance, some employers have "dependent scholarship" programs through their HR departments that aren't well-publicized. My brother's company had a small fund specifically for children of deceased employees. 2. **Community foundation scholarships** - Most areas have community foundations that manage dozens of small local scholarships. Many go unapplied for because people don't know about them. Search for "[your city/county] community foundation scholarships." 3. **FAFSA timing tip** - Since your daughter passed in February 2024, for the 2025-2026 school year FAFSA, your grandson might be considered an independent student, which could significantly increase his aid eligibility. Double-check this with the financial aid office. 4. **Social Security lump sum** - Make sure you've claimed any final Social Security benefits your daughter was entitled to. Sometimes there's a small lump sum death benefit that gets overlooked. Your grandson is fortunate to have you in his corner. This community has shown there are many paths forward, even when the main one closes.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter, and my heart goes out to you and your grandson during this incredibly difficult time. As others have confirmed, the Social Security survivor benefits will unfortunately end when your grandson turns 18, since he'll be graduating high school that same month. The rule change from 1981 eliminated college student benefits, which is particularly harsh given today's education costs. I wanted to add a few resources that haven't been mentioned yet that might help: **State-specific programs**: Many states have their own survivor benefit programs separate from federal Social Security. Contact your state's Department of Social Services to ask about educational assistance for children who have lost a parent. **Professional associations**: If your daughter belonged to any professional organizations (teaching associations, unions, etc.), many have scholarship funds specifically for members' children who have lost a parent. **Scholarship aggregator sites**: Beyond the well-known ones, check out sites like Fastweb and Scholarships.com, but search specifically for "parent loss" or "survivor" scholarships. There are more of these than most people realize. **College emergency funds**: When your grandson enrolls, ask specifically about the college's emergency financial aid fund. Most students don't know these exist, and they're designed exactly for situations like his. The financial aid office will be your best ally - they deal with these situations regularly and often know about resources that aren't widely advertised. Make sure to emphasize his circumstances when meeting with them. Your grandson is lucky to have such a caring advocate in you.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter. This is such a difficult situation to navigate while you're still grieving. I wanted to add a resource that helped my family when we went through something similar - check with your local Social Security office about any one-time death benefits that might still be available. Sometimes there are small lump-sum payments that families miss claiming during the chaos of everything else. Also, since your grandson will be starting community college, I'd suggest contacting the financial aid office there before he even enrolls. Many community colleges have partnerships with local businesses and organizations that provide scholarships specifically for students facing hardship. They also often have work-study programs that can help offset costs while giving him valuable experience. One more thing - if your daughter had any credit cards or loans, make sure to ask about credit life insurance or loan forgiveness programs for survivors. Some financial institutions have programs that aren't well advertised but can provide relief for families in your situation. The loss of those Social Security benefits is definitely going to be challenging, but don't lose hope. There are caring people and organizations out there specifically designed to help students like your grandson succeed despite these setbacks.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter. What a heartbreaking situation to face while you're still grieving. I wanted to add one more resource that might help your grandson - check if your state has a "529 education savings plan" with special provisions for survivors. Some states allow rollovers or special contributions to these accounts when a parent passes away, which could help with college expenses. Also, many community colleges have "Promise" or "College Guarantee" programs that provide free tuition for local residents who meet certain income requirements. Since your grandson's family income situation has changed significantly, he might now qualify for programs he wouldn't have before. Finally, consider reaching out to local Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, and similar service organizations in your area - they often have small scholarship programs specifically for students facing hardship that aren't widely advertised. The amounts might be modest, but every bit helps, and these organizations are usually very responsive to individual circumstances like your grandson's. Keep advocating for him - you're doing an amazing job helping him navigate this difficult transition.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter, and I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you and your grandson. As someone who works with families navigating these exact situations, I want to add a few specific action items that might help: **Immediate steps for this month**: Since your grandson turns 18 in May and graduates then, you have a narrow window. Contact SSA immediately to confirm the exact date benefits will stop and ask about any final paperwork needed. **Hidden resources to explore**: Many people don't know that some life insurance policies through employers include separate educational benefits that aren't tied to the main death benefit. Also, check if your daughter contributed to a 403(b) or other retirement account - some of these have survivor educational provisions. **Community college strategy**: When you meet with financial aid, ask specifically about their "retention" or "completion" grants. These are often separate from general financial aid and designed to help students who face sudden financial hardships stay in school. **State-specific tip**: Look into whether your state has a "Surviving Spouse and Children" program through the Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Education - even if your daughter wasn't military, some states have broader survivor education programs. The loss of Social Security benefits is devastating, but I've seen families successfully piece together support from multiple sources. Your grandson is fortunate to have you advocating for him during this transition.

I'm so deeply sorry for the loss of your daughter. Having lost my own parent during college years, I understand how overwhelming the financial concerns can feel on top of everything else you're processing. Everyone here has given you excellent information about the Social Security benefits ending at 18 - unfortunately that's accurate. But I wanted to add one resource that was a game-changer for my family: check if your daughter's employer offered any tuition assistance or educational benefits as part of their employee benefits package that might extend to survivors. Some school districts and government employers have these programs that HR departments don't always publicize well. Also, when your grandson meets with the community college's financial aid office, have him specifically mention that he's recently lost a parent. Many colleges have what they call "professional judgment" authority to adjust a student's aid package when there are special circumstances like this. They can sometimes override the standard FAFSA calculations to better reflect your family's current situation. One last thought - consider reaching out to your daughter's former colleagues and friends. Teachers especially tend to be very supportive of each other's families, and they might know about local education-related scholarships or funds that aren't widely advertised. Sometimes the most meaningful help comes from the communities we're already part of. Your grandson is lucky to have you fighting for him during this difficult time. There are paths forward, even when the main road closes.