According to data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), approximately 30,000 children of deceased workers have been removed from Social Security benefits since the beginning of this year.
Social Security provides crucial financial support to some of the most vulnerable Americans, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of deceased workers who meet the SSA’s eligibility criteria.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is also the running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris, recently shared how his family depended on Social Security benefits after his father’s death. However, recent data indicates a decline in the number of children receiving these survivor benefits.
In January 2024, around 2.04 million children of deceased workers were receiving benefits. By July, this number had decreased to about 2.01 million, reflecting a reduction of around 30,000 children. The reasons behind this decline are not entirely clear, and the SSA has not provided specific explanations for the drop.
Possible Reasons for the Reduction
Financial literacy instructor Alex Beene from the University of Tennessee at Martin noted that the decline in child beneficiaries has been a confusing issue in recent months.
Although there are many possible reasons for the reduction, including routine reviews of eligibility, income thresholds, and age limits, the SSA has not responded to inquiries about the cause of these changes.
Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and founder of 9i Capital Group, explained that the SSA periodically reviews eligibility, which can result in the removal of individuals from the program if they no longer meet income, age, or other qualifying criteria.
For example, if a surviving parent takes on additional work to meet financial needs, this could impact their child’s eligibility for survivor benefits. Additionally, factors like lower birth rates and children aging out of the program may contribute to the overall decline in beneficiaries.
Variations Across States
Beene also pointed out that not all states have experienced the same reduction in child beneficiaries. While some states have seen significant cuts, others have maintained consistent numbers, suggesting that there may be state-level discrepancies in how data is managed and how corrections are made by the SSA.
The average monthly benefit for a surviving child is over $1,000, and children are eligible to receive these benefits until they turn 18 or get married. In certain cases, stepchildren, grandchildren, and adopted children may also qualify for these benefits.
Conclusion
The removal of 30,000 children from Social Security survivor benefits highlights potential issues in the administration of these crucial programs. While the exact reasons for the decline remain unclear, it’s important for families to stay informed about their eligibility and the factors that could impact their benefits. Understanding these changes is essential for those relying on Social Security to support their financial needs.
Q1. Why were 30,000 children removed from Social Security benefits?
A. The reduction may be due to eligibility reviews, income thresholds, children aging out of the program, or state-level discrepancies in data handling.
Q2. Who qualifies for Social Security survivor benefits?
A. Children of deceased workers, including stepchildren, grandchildren, and adopted children in some cases, qualify for survivor benefits until they turn 18 or get married.
Q3. How much do surviving children receive in Social Security benefits?
A. The average monthly benefit for a surviving child is over $1,000.
Q4. Why might a child lose their Social Security benefits?
A. A child could lose benefits if their family’s income exceeds the threshold, if they age out of the program, or if there are changes in eligibility criteria during SSA reviews.
Q5. Are all states experiencing the same reduction in child beneficiaries?
A. No, the reduction in beneficiaries varies by state, with some states seeing significant cuts and others maintaining stable numbers.
