In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be at least age 62
• Have not married after the deceased worker’s death (unless an exception applies)
• Received at least one-half of your support from the deceased worker at certain points in time
• You are the parent and would be eligible to share in the intestate personal property of the worker
• You legally adopted the insured worker before he or she turned 16; or

• You became the deceased’s stepparent by a marriage entered into before the deceased turned 16.
  Not be entitled to retirement insurance benefit equal to or exceeding the amount of the parent’s original benefit.

• Filed proof of support within the required time limits.

If you would like to find out if you may be eligible for any of the benefits SSA administers, take SSA’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool.

Once you have completed the eligibility screening questionnaire, you will be provided with a list of benefits for which you may be eligible. Print this page for your records before going to the application site.