Survivor Benefits
Eligibility and Duration of Survivor Benefits for Children
Verified against SSA POMS as of July 28, 2026
The short answer
Survivor benefits are available to children if they are unmarried and under age 18, are full-time students under age 19, or are disabled before age 22. Benefits end if the child marries, when the child reaches 18 or 19 if a student, or if no longer attending full-time school or disabled.
Eligibility for Survivor Benefits as a Child
To qualify for Social Security survivor benefits, a child must be unmarried and under age 18. A child over 18 can receive benefits if they are still in full-time attendance as a student at an elementary or secondary-level school until age 19, or if they became disabled before age 22. The deceased worker must have enough Social Security credits for their children to be eligible to receive these benefits. For specific conditions, reference NL 00711.035, section 305.1.
NL 00711.035 View source ›Duration of Survivor Benefits for Children
Survivor benefits for children generally end when the child turns 18. However, benefits can continue until age 19 if the child is in full-time attendance as a student at an elementary or secondary school. Benefits can also be extended if the child is disabled, contingent upon disability starting before age 22. Benefits cease if the child marries or is no longer in full-time school attendance.
HBK 0414 View source ›Conditions Causing Termination of Benefits
Child's survivor benefits end if the child dies, marries, or if they reach age 18 and are not disabled or attending school full-time. Additionally, if the child's entitlement is based on legal adoption and the adoption is annulled, or if they are a stepchild and the worker's marriage to the stepchild's parent ends in divorce, benefits cease from the month of the divorce.
HBK 0340 View source ›Frequently asked
When do Social Security benefits end for a child?
Benefits end when a child turns 18 unless they are a full-time student or disabled. They can continue until age 19 if still in school or longer if disabled.
Can a child over 18 get survivor benefits?
Yes, if they are a full-time student under age 19 or were disabled before age 22.
Do Social Security benefits continue if the child marries?
No, survivor benefits end if a child marries, except under specific conditions for disabled children marrying other beneficiaries.
How is eligibility for survivor benefits determined?
Eligibility depends on the child's age, student status, and disability before age 22, alongside the deceased worker's Social Security credits.
What happens to survivor benefits in case of a parent's divorce?
If a child's entitlement is as a stepchild, benefits terminate the month after the worker and the stepchild's parent divorce.