Information You Will Need When You Apply for Parent’s Benefits

Introduction

Whether it’s by phone or in person, we want your visit to go as smoothly as possible. You can help by being ready to answer the following questions and having as many of the needed documents as possible. Don’t delay filing your claim just because you don’t have all the documents. We’ll help you get them.

When you apply for parent's benefits, we will ask you:

Your name and social security number;
Your name at birth (if different);
Your deceased child's name, gender, date of birth and social security number;
Your date of birth and place of birth (State or foreign country);
Your deceased child's date and place of death;
Whether a public or religious record was made of your birth before age 5;
Whether you were dependent on the worker for 1/2 of your support at the time of the worker's death or at the time the worker became disabled;
Whether you or anyone else has ever filed for Social Security benefits, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income on your behalf (if so, we will also ask for information on whose Social Security record you applied);
Whether the deceased worker ever filed for Social Security benefits, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income (if so, we will also ask for information on whose Social Security record you applied);
Whether you have been unable to work because of illnesses, injuries or conditions at any time within the past 14 months (if "Yes," we will also ask when you became unable to work)
Whether the worker was unable to work because of illnesses, injuries or conditions at any time during the 14 months before his or her death (if "Yes," we will also ask when you became unable to work)
Whether you or the worker were ever in the active military service or worked for the railroad industry;
Whether your spouse ever worked for the railroad industry;
Whether you have earned social security credits under another country's social security system;
Whether you have married since the worker's death;
The amount of the worker's earnings in the year of death and the preceding year;
Whether the worker had earnings in each year since 1978;
The amount of your earnings for this year, last year and next year; and
If you are within 3 months of age 65, whether you want to enroll in Supplemental Medical Insurance (Part B of Medicare)

Depending on the information you provide, we may need to ask other questions.

You also should bring along your checkbook or other papers that show your account number at a bank, credit union or other financial institution so you can sign up for Direct Deposit, and avoid worries about lost or stolen checks and mail delays.