Eligibility for Social Security Survivor Benefits?

My 11 year old's father passed away and I applied for survivor's benefits for him. During the phone interview she asked about support. He did help, but it was never court ordered, he would just send me money orders or clothes and things of that nature. She asked me to send copies of the money orders, but I never made copies of them, just cashed them. Will this stop my son from getting benefits?

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poehere
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts

February 8, 20180 found this helpful

Best Answer

This has to be determined by the Social Security office. They will have to determine your son's qualification and how much support his dad was sending to you. You might need to seek legal advice on this one. It is hard to say one way or the other because each case is different.

cybergrannie
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February 10, 20180 found this helpful

Best Answer

I might be wrong, but from what I am reading it appears you and your son's father were never married.

If this is the case, that could explain the reason you are being asked for proof of support.

The father's name on his birth certificate should be a big step in your favor.
They are questioning if your son's father ever accepted full responsibility and that would explain the reason for wanting proof of any money paid.
There are too many unanswered questions for anyone to even comment - such as - are you presently married and your son has a "step-father"?
Have you been receiving government assistance and stated that you received no support for your son?
It really does not matter about the questions as the Social Security Office is the only place to ask your questions.
SSA will be your final point so make an appointment and go in person (telephone interviews are not always the best way) and take as much written information as you can find with you.

Be sure you get a copy of anything they tell you that you will need to prove your case.
You will need this to prove the date your case was started and if approved you will get any money due from that begin date.

Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts

February 5, 20180 found this helpful

If you have proof that he was indeed your son's father, like a birth certificate, you shouldn't have a problem. DNA remains on items, and you can get a DNA test to prove that he was your son's father. I'm not sure how much that will cost.

louanne.rivera76

February 6, 20180 found this helpful

Ty. He is on his birth certificate, and he signed paternity papers in the hospital.

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