Survivor benefits DNA Test
Survivor benefits when a deceased father’s name is not on the birth certificate.
In order for a child to be considered for survivor benefits from Social Security. The deceased father’s name has to be listed on the child’s birth certificate. When circumstances occur where the biological father passes away and his name was not added to the birth certificate. Acquiring survivor benefits will require the mother or legal guardian to go through a process for the child to receive benefits.
Below are a couple of suggestions to attempt to establish the paternity of the child when the father is deceased.
- If the deceased father has recently passed away. Contact the coroner’s office to inquire if a DNA sample was collected and on file. If this is the case, the mother or legal guardian of the child can have her child’s samples collected and analyzed, and tested with the DNA samples on file.
Sample Types
Common samples collected by the coroner’s office are blood card samples or hair follicle samples. Please note, depending on your situation the guardian of the child oftentimes is not the executor of the deceased father’s estate. If this is the case, the mother or legal guardian will have to gain consent from the executor of the estate in order to perform a legal paternity test.
- When there are no samples of the biological father available for a direct paternity test. A family reconstruction is often used to help determine a paternal biological relationship. The most commonly acceptable DNA genetic testing options suggested are a paternal Grandparent DNA test and a Sibling DNA test.
The sibling DNA testing option can only occur if the siblings share the same biological father and one of the siblings must have the deceased father’s name on their birth certificate. It should be noted that before contacting a DNA testing company like IDTO. We recommend contacting the Social Security office in your state or county to confirm the DNA testing relationships they will accept.
Once you receive a confirmation from Social Security. Please contact our office at 888-204-0583 and allow one of our DNA testing consultants the opportunity to help schedule your DNA sample collection appointment.
Please note, the suggested options listed above only apply to unmarried biological fathers.
What happens if a father dies before the birth of his child?
As we understand Social Security Agency’s (SSA) policy. If a man dies who is unmarried and his name is not on the birth certificate. The SSA will not award benefits to the child without proof of paternity. Please read more about SSA’s 68-22: SECTION 216(h)(3)(C). — RELATIONSHIP — STATUS OF ILLEGITIMATE POSTHUMOUS CHILD here.
Social Security Benefits For Father’s Death DNA testing