Benefits for Children After a Parent Dies in Vermont

When a parent dies in Vermont, dependent children may have access to significant financial support from both federal and state sources. These benefits are not automatic — a surviving parent, guardian, or executor must actively claim them on the children's behalf. Some have time limits; others continue until adulthood or beyond.

Here is what Vermont children are entitled to after a parent's death, and exactly how to access each benefit.

Social Security Survivor Benefits for Children

Social Security pays monthly survivor benefits to dependent children of a deceased parent who worked and paid into the Social Security system. Vermont children qualify under the same federal rules that apply nationwide.

Who qualifies:

• Unmarried children under age 18
• Unmarried children under age 19 who are still enrolled in secondary school (high school)
• Children of any age who became disabled before age 22

Benefit amount: Each qualifying child receives up to 75% of the deceased parent's basic Social Security benefit amount. The exact amount depends on the parent's earnings record.

Family maximum: Social Security applies a family maximum benefit — generally 150-180% of the deceased parent's benefit — which is divided among all qualifying survivors (surviving spouse plus children). If the family maximum is reached, each recipient's benefit may be proportionally reduced.

How to apply: Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit the local Vermont SSA office. Apply as soon as possible — payments are not retroactive beyond the month of application in most cases. You will need the deceased parent's Social Security number, the child's birth certificate, and the certified death certificate.

Vermont Public Employee Pension: Child Benefits

If the deceased parent was a Vermont state employee, teacher, or municipal worker covered by VSERS, VSTRS, or VMERS, their retirement system provides separate benefits for dependent children in addition to any spousal survivor pension.

The standard child benefit under these systems is 10% of the deceased employee's Average Final Compensation (AFC) per child, with a minimum of $50 per month per child. Key rules:

• The benefit is payable to up to three dependent children simultaneously — if there are four or more eligible children, the total benefit is divided among them
• Benefits continue until the child reaches age 18
• If the child is a full-time, unmarried student, benefits continue until age 23
• If the surviving spouse predeceases the children, or if there is no surviving spouse, the child benefits may increase

Contact the relevant retirement system (Vermont State Retirement Office at vermonttreasurer.gov) to initiate this claim. Submit the deceased parent's pension information, certified death certificates, and birth certificates for each child. Forms must be notarized.

Workers' Compensation Death Benefits for Children

If the parent died from a work-related injury or occupational illness, Vermont's workers' compensation system provides weekly benefits to surviving dependents, including children.

The benefit rate for children varies based on family structure:

• If there is a surviving spouse plus one dependent child, the total household benefit is 71.67% of the deceased parent's average weekly wage
• With a surviving spouse and two or more children, the total rises to 76.67%
• If there is no surviving spouse and only one dependent child, the child receives 51% of the average weekly wage

The maximum weekly compensation rate is $1,836 (effective July 1, 2025). Benefits must be paid for a minimum of 330 weeks.

Dependent children lose eligibility when they turn 18 and become employed. The insurer will recalculate the benefit rate when a child ages out of dependent status.

Veterans' Benefits for Children

If the deceased parent was a veteran who died from a service-connected condition, surviving children may receive VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.

For 2025, the monthly DIC rate for each eligible child is $456.44. Children qualify until age 18, or age 23 if enrolled in school. Children who became permanently incapable of self-support before age 18 continue to qualify without an age limit.

Apply through VA Form 21P-534EZ with the DD-214, certified death certificate, and birth certificates for each child. Vermont Veterans Service Officers can assist with this process at no cost through the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs.

Vermont Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit

If the deceased parent was a Vermont firefighter, law enforcement officer, or (effective July 1, 2026) a Department of Corrections employee, DCF Family Services worker, or classified medical staff at a state psychiatric unit, and died in the line of duty or from an occupation-related illness, their children are among the survivors eligible for the $80,000 Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit Fund payment administered by the Vermont State Treasurer.

This is a one-time payment distributed to surviving family members. Contact the Vermont State Treasurer's Office to initiate this claim.

Medicaid and Vermont Health Connect for Children

If household income is reduced significantly after the parent's death, children may qualify for Dr. Dynasaur — Vermont's Medicaid and CHIP program for children and pregnant women. Coverage is available at no cost or low cost based on household income, regardless of immigration status for Vermont-born children.

Apply through Vermont Health Connect at healthconnect.vermont.gov or call 1-855-899-9600.

Guardianship and Executor Responsibilities

If both parents have died, or if the surviving parent is unable to act, a guardian may need to be appointed for minor children to receive and manage their benefits. Vermont's probate court handles guardianship appointments.

The guardian or surviving parent who acts on behalf of the children has a fiduciary obligation to use these benefit funds for the children's actual needs. Social Security, in particular, requires representative payees to account for how children's benefits are used and may audit the use of funds.

Claiming benefits for children after a parent dies in Vermont requires simultaneous contact with Social Security, the relevant Vermont retirement system, the VA (if applicable), and potentially the Department of Labor for workers' compensation. The Vermont Survivor Benefits Navigator provides the complete roadmap — including the specific forms, contacts, and deadlines for each benefit stream — in a single guide built for Vermont families.

See more Vermont guides →