If you are not currently getting Social Security benefits

You should apply for survivors benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits will be paid from the time you apply and not from the time the worker died.

You can apply by telephone or at any Social Security office. We will need certain information, but do not delay applying if you do not have everything. We will help you get what you need. We need either original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them.

The information we need includes:

* Proof of death—either from a funeral home or death certificate;
* Your Social Security number, as well as the deceased worker’s;
* Your birth certificate;
* Your marriage certificate, if you are a widow or widower;
* Your divorce papers, if you are applying as a divorced widow or widower;
* Dependent children’s Social Security numbers, if available, and birth certificates;
* Deceased worker’s W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax return for the most recent year; and
* The name of your bank and your account number so your benefits can be deposited directly into your account.


How much will I receive?

The benefit amount is based on the earnings of the person who died. The more the worker paid into Social Security, the greater your benefits will be.

Social Security uses the deceased worker’s basic benefit amount and calculates what percentage survivors are entitled to. The percentage depends on the survivors’ ages and relationship to the worker. Here are the most typical situations:

* A widow or widower, at full retirement age or older, generally receives 100 percent of the worker’s basic benefit amount;
* A widow or widower, age 60 or older, but under full retirement age, receives about 71-99 percent of the worker’s basic benefit amount; or
* A widow or widower, any age, with a child under age 16, receives 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount.
* Children receive 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount.


Maximum family benefits

There is a limit to the benefits that can be paid to you and other family members each month. The limit varies, but is generally between 150 and 180 percent of the deceased’s benefit amount.


What if I remarry?

Generally, you cannot get widow’s or widower’s benefits if you remarry before age 60. But remarriage after age 60 (or age 50 if you are disabled) will not prevent you from getting benefit payments based on your former spouse’s work. And at age 62 or older, you may get benefits based on your new spouse’s work, if those benefits would be higher.


This is straight from the SS site it's self! Hope it clears a few things up.



Benefits for surviving divorced spouses

If you have been divorced, your former wife or husband who is age 60 or older (50-59 if disabled) can get benefits if your marriage lasted at least 10 years. Your former spouse, however, does not have to meet the age or length-of-marriage rule if he or she is caring for his/her child who is under age 16 or who is disabled and also entitled based on your work. The child must be your former spouse’s natural or legally adopted child.

Benefits paid to you as a surviving divorced spouse who meets the age or disability requirement as a widow or widower won’t affect the benefit rates for other survivors getting benefits on the worker’s record. However, if you are the surviving divorced mother or father who has the worker’s child under age 16 or disabled in your care, your benefit will affect the amount of the benefits of others on the worker’s record.

if i was you

i would go in fill out all the paper work

take in all related/needed documents

not mention the girlfriend

and lt the chips fall where they may

if you go in with a chip on your shoulder (per say)

it may make you look vengeful

just act like you do not know

after all you are entitled to file

best of luck to you

sorry for the children's loss

if i was you

i would go in fill out all the paper work

take in all related/needed documents

not mention the girlfriend

and lt the chips fall where they may

if you go in with a chip on your shoulder (per say)

it may make you look vengeful

just act like you do not know

after all you are entitled to file

best of luck to you

sorry for the children's loss

She might not be. Dependents only draw it till their 18 now. It was until their out of school but was changed a few years back.

Therefore kitten may not be able to draw the benefits but his real daughter should be able to without a problem.

Heck yea go for it. If you cant get the answers talk to a lawyer who specializes in SS.

But...if if she is eligible. She was concerned that if she was that she would be taking monies away from the children.
It's a set amount based on his previous earnings.

rat her ass out like there's no tomorrow because she's a screwed up human being.

Thanks ya'll. I will let you know what happens later tomorrow. I'm just going to report her for fraud.

Good luck.