Nov
04
2012
By Guest (not verified)
My granddaughters mother was killed over this summer, after which we found out that she is our granddaughter. Her father works, is newly married with one child and another on the way. My husband and I happily agreed to help with the granddaughter. The question is, would she be eligable for social security benefits. As I said earlier, we only learned after her mothers death that the child was ours, thru paternity testing. She was the sole caregiver and provider to Addison. We had susspected that she was our sons, but mom wouldnt confirm.
Forums:
Qualifying and applying for survivor benefits
Yes, there's a good chance the girl will qualify for Social Security survivor benefits.
To qualify, the mother needed to have some work history. The work history works on a sliding scale where the older you are, the more work history you need to have your heirs qualify for benefits.
Check the following for what is required to apply. You likely will need cooperation from the mother's family as things like the mother's W-2 and other documents are required.
http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/howtoapply.htm#ht=1
Someone will have to the the "representative payee" for the child. This generally is the child's custodian, but not always.
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10076.html