[header] How to apply for social security survivor benefits for a child [title] Understand eligibility. [step] In order to be eligible for benefits, the deceased must have earned a certain number of " credits, " based on age at the time of death. A worker can earn up to four credits a year. 
In 2015, a worker earned one credit for every $1 , 220 of wages or self-employed income. [substeps] The amount of credits needed will depend on the worker's age when he or she died.