Can a Child Get Survivor Benefits if the Parent Never Worked?

Social Security survivor benefits provide financial support to families when a worker who paid Social Security taxes passes away. These benefits are generally based on the deceased individual’s work record and contributions to the Social Security system. While a parent’s work history is typically a prerequisite, there are specific circumstances where a child may still be eligible for survivor benefits even if their biological parent never worked in covered employment.

Standard Eligibility for Child Survivor Benefits

Eligibility for Social Security child survivor benefits primarily depends on the deceased parent having accumulated a sufficient number of Social Security “work credits.” These credits are earned through covered employment, where individuals pay Social Security taxes on their earnings. In 2025, one work credit is earned for every $1,810 in earnings, with a maximum of four credits obtainable per year. These credits stay on an individual’s Social Security record and do not expire.

The number of credits required for survivor benefits varies based on the deceased worker’s age at the time of death. Younger individuals need fewer credits, but no one needs more than 40 credits, which typically equates to about 10 years of work. If a parent has never worked in jobs covered by Social Security and thus has no work credits, their child generally cannot receive survivor benefits directly based on that parent’s earnings record.

Scenarios for Children Without a Working Parent

Even if a biological or primary parent did not accrue sufficient Social Security work credits, a child might still qualify for survivor benefits through the work record of another family member. This crucial aspect provides a safety net in various family structures. Benefits can be extended to biological children, adopted children, stepchildren, and in some cases, grandchildren or step-grandchildren.

A child may be eligible for benefits based on a stepparent’s work record if certain conditions are met. The stepparent must have been married to the child’s natural or adoptive parent for at least nine months before their death. Additionally, the child typically needs to have been financially dependent on the stepparent, with the stepparent providing at least half of the child’s support.

Grandchildren and step-grandchildren can also be eligible for survivor benefits, particularly in situations where they were dependent on their grandparents. This often requires the grandchild to have been living with the grandparent before age 18 and receiving at least half of their support from the grandparent for a year prior to the grandparent becoming entitled to benefits or passing away. If the grandchild was born less than a year before the grandparent qualified for benefits, the grandparent must have provided significant support since the child’s birth. Legal adoption by the grandparent can simplify this eligibility.

Children legally adopted by a couple before one spouse’s death are treated the same as biological offspring for Social Security purposes. If a child is adopted after the insured parent’s death by the surviving spouse, the child may still qualify if they were living with or receiving at least half their support from the deceased at the time of death, and the adoption process was initiated or completed within specific timeframes. Importantly, if a child was already receiving survivor benefits from a biological parent, those benefits generally continue even after a subsequent adoption.

Furthermore, a child may qualify for benefits based on a divorced parent’s Social Security record. If the deceased parent had sufficient work credits, their child could receive benefits. This applies even if the divorced spouse (the child’s other parent) was not married to the deceased for the typical 10-year requirement, provided they are caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving benefits.

Information Needed for Application

Applicants will generally need the child’s birth certificate or other proof of birth or adoption. The deceased individual’s death certificate is also a required document, along with their Social Security number.

The child’s own Social Security number is essential for matching records within the system. Depending on the specific scenario, additional proofs may be required, such as proof of marriage between the deceased worker and the child’s natural or adoptive parent if applying for a stepchild. For children with disabilities, medical evidence supporting the disability, which must have begun before age 22, will be necessary. Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status is also required if the child was born outside the United States.

Applying for Benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not currently accept online applications for survivor benefits. Instead, applications are typically completed by calling the SSA’s national toll-free service or by visiting a local Social Security office.

It is advisable to contact the SSA as soon as possible after the death of the qualifying individual, as benefits can be retroactive, but only for a limited period. The SSA representative assisting with the application will confirm what specific documents are needed and guide the applicant through the process, which can take approximately 20 to 30 minutes if all information is readily available. After submission, the SSA reviews the application and verifies documents.