Thank you very much that your answer to my question! But sorry, it is still unclear to me if I am eligible for US survivor benefit or not? I am 49 years old, taking care of a child 9 years old, who is also UK citizen and receive UK Child Benefit,( never received US Child Benefit). My child hasn't been adopted by my husband. We were married for 7 years and he was getting US Social Security retirement pension. I would appreciate any information at this matter. Thank you!

Hi,

I can't say for sure. It sounds like you might qualify for mother's benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0415.html), but only if your daughter can qualify for child's benefits from the U.S. Social Security program. As a stepchild your daughter must meet the dependency requirement, meaning that at least one-half of her financial support was provided by your husband leading up to the time of his death.

I would suggest that you file an application for your daughter and yourself in order to determine if you qualify. In order to establish whether or not your daughter meets the one-half support requirement, Social Security will need documentation of your household income for the year preceding your husband's death.

Best, Jerry