Can a child collect survivor Social Security benefits?
On One Hand: Natural Children Get BenefitsSurvivor benefits are paid to the natural children of a deceased worker. Children who are 19 years old or younger, are not married and are full-time students qualify for benefits. Children who were diagnosed with a disability before the age of 22 also qualify to receive survivor benefits at any age.On the Other: Other Children May Not QualifyThere are some situations in which the stepchildren, step grandchildren and adopted children of the deceased worker will not qualify for survivor benefits. These children may only qualify if they have been legally adopted by the deceased worker and have depended on him for at least half of their financial support for a year.Bottom LineThe natural children of a deceased worker will qualify for Social Security survivor benefits if they meet the age, marriage and student status requirements.
