Will my children get additional survivor benefits after their father died? Already receiving dependent benefits

Yes, your children will likely receive increased benefits. When a parent dies, dependent benefits typically convert to survivor benefits, which are generally 75% of the deceased's full benefit amount (compared to 50% for dependent benefits). The transition isn't always automatic though - you should definitely contact SSA. You'll need your ex-husband's death certificate and the children's Social Security numbers. Call the national number (800-772-1213) early in the morning (right when they open) rather than trying the local office.

When my husband died 2 years ago, my son's benefit went up about $430/month. It took almost 3 months to get processed though!!! Make sure you report the death ASAP even if you dont have the death certificate yet. And YES there is a family maximum but I don't know how they calculate it. Something about 150-180% of the workers benefit???

my sister had this exact situation last year! the kids were already getting benefits but then when her ex died they did get more money. they had to go into the SS office though and file paperwork it wasnt automatic

Sorry for your loss. This is definitely something you should look into soon as survivor benefits can help significantly with your teenagers' expenses. When calling SSA be prepared to wait for hours - I tried for weeks and couldn't get through.

There are a few important things to understand here: 1. Your children will automatically convert from dependent benefits to survivor benefits, which is typically an increase from 50% to 75% of your ex-husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). 2. The Family Maximum Benefit (FMB) will apply. This limits the total amount all survivors can receive to between 150%-180% of the deceased's benefit, depending on their earnings record. 3. You need to report the death to SSA - this isn't automatic despite what some believe. Bring the death certificate when you do contact them. 4. There's a one-time death benefit of $255 that may be payable to the children if no surviving spouse is eligible. 5. Benefits will continue until age 18 (or 19 if still in high school). I recommend calling the national number at 800-772-1213 first thing when they open at 8am your local time.

Im confused about one thing - if they were already getting benefits because he was over 65, wouldnt they already be getting 50% of his benefit? So the increase would just be from 50% to 75%? Not double or anything. Also remember they don't get both - survivor benefits replace dependent benefits.

When dealing with survivor benefits, timing is really important. SSA only allows for 6 months of retroactive benefits for survivors, so you'll want to file as soon as possible to avoid losing any potential payments. Based on my experience helping my brother's family last year, I'd recommend: 1. Gather all documents now (death certificate, birth certificates, your divorce decree if SSA doesn't already have it) 2. Call the national number (800-772-1213) but try right at 8:00 AM when they open 3. If you can't get through, try again on Wednesday-Friday as Monday and Tuesday are typically their busiest days 4. Check your children's mySocialSecurity accounts (if they have them) for any notifications The increase from dependent to survivor benefits was substantial for my niece and nephew, so it's definitely worth pursuing quickly.

Does anyone know if the kids benefits are affected by whether the mom (original poster) is working or not??? When my kids got survivor benefits they told me my income didn't matter since I was the surviving parent not the deceased worker. But with dependent benefits I thought there were rules about income limits?? This is so CONFUSING!!!

Since your question hasn't been fully answered yet: Yes, your children will receive higher survivor benefits than they were getting as dependents. What's important to understand is the Family Maximum Benefit (FMB) calculation will need to be redone. With two teenage children, they'll likely each receive 75% of your ex-husband's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), but if that exceeds the family maximum, their benefits will be proportionally reduced. You'll only know the exact amounts after SSA processes the claim. One more critical point - these survivor benefits are payable through age 18, or 19 if still in high school. This is something to plan for as the benefits will stop when they graduate or turn 19, whichever comes first.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Miguel. I went through this exact situation when my ex-husband passed away 3 years ago with kids who were 15 and 17 at the time. Your children should definitely see an increase - mine went from receiving about $800 each to around $1,200 each per month when they converted from dependent to survivor benefits. A few things that helped me navigate this process: 1. Don't wait for the death certificate to arrive - call SSA and report the death immediately. They can start the process and you can submit the certificate later. 2. The conversion isn't automatic despite what some offices might tell you. You absolutely need to contact them and request the survivor benefits. 3. Keep detailed records of when you call and who you speak with. I had to call back multiple times because information got lost between representatives. 4. If possible, try to get an in-person appointment even if it's weeks out - sometimes they can process things faster when you're there with all your documents. The whole process took about 2 months for us, but we received backpay to the date of death. Your kids should be able to keep receiving benefits until they graduate high school or turn 19. Hang in there - the financial help will come!

I'm sorry for your loss, Miguel. I went through something similar when my brother passed away and left behind two teenagers. One thing I want to add that others haven't mentioned - make sure you ask SSA about any potential underpayments when you call. Sometimes there can be a gap between when the parent dies and when survivor benefits are processed, and you might be entitled to additional payments for that period. Also, if your ex-husband had any delayed retirement credits (since he was 67 when he passed), those would factor into the survivor benefit calculation and could mean even higher amounts for your children. The whole process can feel overwhelming when you're grieving, but the financial support really does help. Keep pushing through the phone calls - it's worth it for your kids' future.