POMS Reference

RS 00208: Mother's and Father's Benefits

TN 14 (03-12)

A. Mother/Father no longer has a child-in-care

If a mother/father no longer has a child-in-care, the processing center (PC) must do the following:

  • Suspend or terminate, as appropriate, if deductions apply because an entitled child is no longer in care, or terminate when required because no child remains entitled. See RS 00208.030.

  • Notify the mother/father according to RS 00208.080B or RS 00208.080C.

B. Mother/Father is between age 60 and the month before full retirement age (FRA)

Use the following procedures when a mother/father is between age 60 and the month before FRA:

  • When we suspend or terminate the mother’s or father’s benefits because she or he no longer has an entitled child-in-care, the mother/father must file an application to become entitled to reduced widow(er)'s benefits.

  • Obtain a skeleton SSA-10-BK, Application for Widow’s or Widower’s Insurance Benefits, indicating the month that reduced benefits will begin.

  • Provide information about the possible receipt of a government pension, and develop for any required proofs (e.g., proof of age). For details, see RS 00207.004.

REMINDER: If the worker died before age 62 and she or he met all other requirements, consider applying the Widow(er)’s Indexing Computation (WINDEX). See RS 00615.302.

C. Mother/Father under age 60

Follow this procedure for a mother/father under the age of 60:

  • Notify the claimant that she or he cannot receive benefits if under age 60, unless disabled and has filed an application.

  • If the claimant is disabled, advise him or her to contact the field office (FO) for further information.