Average Social Security Benefits for Orphaned Children

The Average Social Security benefits for orphaned children will depend on the age of the parents at death and how many working credits they had accumulated up to that time. Survivor’s benefits provide a monthly income for the children and spouse of a deceased worker. According to the Social Security Administration’s “Survivors Benefits” electronic booklet, more benefits are paid to children through Social Security than any other federal government program.

 

Current Average Benefit Amounts

According to the Social Security Administration’s Beneficiary Data on the “Child of Deceased Worker” chart, a student receives an average of $831.35 per month in survivor’s benefits while a minor child receives $749.08. The chart also reveals that there was an average increase of $21.31 per month within the last 18 months for students and a $6.65 increase for minors.

 

Eligibility Requirements for Children

In order to be eligible for survivor’s benefits, a child must be under 18 and unmarried. Exceptions to the under 18 rule exist for 19-year-olds that are still attending secondary school full-time and for children that are disabled and became that way before the age of 22. The “Survivors Benefits” electronic booklet by the Social Security Administration states that in some circumstances, adopted children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and even step-grandchildren can receive survivor’s benefits.

 

Benefit Amount Calculations

On average, children under the age of 18 receive 75 percent of the deceased parents basic Social Security benefit. Children can be 19 years old, if attending high school, and still receive survivor’s benefits. If the parent that died was already receiving Social Security benefits, the child’s benefit amount is based on what the parent received.

 

Benefit Limits

There are maximum family limits that apply to survivor’s benefits through Social Security. Orphaned children can receive between 150 and 180 percent of the amount the deceased parents were eligible to receive in worker’s benefits. This amount is per family, so if there was more than one orphaned child receiving benefits, the amounts would be combined in figuring the limit.

 

To apply for Social Security Benefits for an orphaned child, visit your local Social Security office or the Social Security Administrations official website at SSA.gov.