# SSR 69-55: SSR 69-55: SECTION 202(d)(1). -- STEPCHILD RELATIONSHIP -- CHILD'S INSURANCE BENEFITS -- TERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT

> Federal · Rulings · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_69_55

## Section

- **Citation:** SSR 69-55
- **Heading:** SSR 69-55: SECTION 202(d)(1). -- STEPCHILD RELATIONSHIP -- CHILD'S INSURANCE BENEFITS -- TERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Rulings
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Social Security Rulings / OASI / Child's Insurance Benefits / SSR 69-55

## Text

20 CFR 404.1109(b)

SSR 69-55

R, a fully insured worker, filed application and became entitled to
old-age insurance benefits of $123 per month beginning August 1966. In the
same month R was married to B, who subsequently became entitled to wife's
insurance benefits, and her daughter, C, became entitled to child's
insurance benefits, effective August 1967. Child's benefits were paid
initially to R on C's behalf. However, in September 1968, B and C
separated from R and C's benefits are now being paid on her behalf to her
mother.

R questioned the continued payment of child's insurance benefits based
upon his earnings record to his wife's daughter, C, even though the child
is no longer living with or being supported by him.

Section 202(d)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402(d)(1)) sets
forth the conditions under which a child can become entitled to benefits
and also provides criteria for the termination of such entitlement. In
summary, the Act provides that a child's benefit will be terminated with
the month before the month in which he dies, marries, is adopted (with
certain exceptions), or attains age 18 (unless he is a full-time student
under age 22; or unless he became disabled before age 18). Once
entitlement has been established pursuant to the Act, there is no
provision for termination of such entitlement because of the separation of
a child from his stepparent or even because the steprelationship itself is
terminated.

Accordingly, it is held , in the absence of one of the terminating
events specifically stated in the Act, C's entitlement to benefits will
continue.

## Nearby sections

- [SSR 06-02p SSR 06-02p: Title II: Adjudicating Child Relationship Under Section 216(h)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act When Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Test Shows Sibling Relationship Between Claimant and a Child of the Worker Who Is Entitled Under Section 216(h)(3) of the Social Security Act](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_06_02p.md)
- [SSR 60-1 SSR 60-1. CHILD MARRIED AND DIVORCED BEFORE FILING EFFECTIVE APPLICATION](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_60_1.md)
- [SSR 61-18 SSR 61-18. EFFECTIVE DATE OF ADOPTION WHERE ADOPTING PARENT DIES AFTER INTERLOCUTORY DECREE BUT BEFORE FINAL DECREE](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_61_18.md)
- [SSR 61-30 SSR 61-30. IRREVOCABLE SURRENDER OF CHILD TO PERSON WHO AGREES TO RAISE CHILD](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_61_30.md)
- [SSR 61-52 SSR 61-52. CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES SHORTLY BEFORE WORKER'S DEATH](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_61_52.md)
- [SSR 61-64 SSR 61-64. LEGITIMATION OF CHILD BY INTERMARRIAGE OF PARENTS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_61_64.md)
- [SSR 62-53 SSR 62-53. RELATIONSHIP -- EFFECTIVE DATE OF LEGITIMATION OF CHILD BY INTERMARRIAGE OF PARENTS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_62_53.md)
- [SSR 63-15 SSR 63-15: SECTION 202(d). -- TERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO CHILD'S INSURANCE BENEFITS -- ATTAINMENT OF AGE 18](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_63_15.md)
- [SSR 63-28 SSR 63-28: SECTIONS 202(d), 216(e), and 216(h)(2)(A). -- RELATIONSHIP -- ADOPTED CHILD'S RIGHTS OF INHERITANCE FROM NATURAL PARENT](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_63_28.md)
- [SSR 65-18 SSR 65-18: SECTION 202(d). -- CHILD'S INSURANCE BENEFITS -- LEGAL ADOPTION INSTITUTED BY WORKER IN OR BEFORE MONTH PERIOD OF DISABILITY BEGAN](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_65_18.md)
- [SSR 65-20c SSR 65-20c: SECTIONS 202(d)(1), 216(e), and 216(h)(2). -- DEFINITION OF "CHILD" -- EQUITABLE ADOPTION](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_65_20c.md)
- [SSR 65-35 SSR 65-35: SECTION 202(d). -- CHILD'S INSURANCE BENEFITS -- LEGAL ADOPTION BY CLAIMANT ENTITLED TO DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_65_35.md)
- [SSR 65-36c SSR 65-36c: SECTIONS 202(d) and 216(h)(2)(A). -- RELATIONSHIP -- LEGITIMATION UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_65_36c.md)
- [SSR 65-51 SSR 65-51: SECTIONS 202(d) and 205(a). -- FINALITY OF DECISION -- REOPENING ON BASIS OF NEW AND MATERIAL EVIDENCE -- GOOD CAUSE](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_65_51.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_69_55. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.