copyright1997reloaded
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Buckeye,
Regarding the SS recipient with a minor child, the situation s a little different. He has paid in to SS, and had to qualify for the benefits with these contributions. This program does not make any distinctions based on the need of a recipient--if you meet the age requirement, you get the checks. Same with spouses and kids.
This is exactly the distinction that is important. SS isn't (at least in theory) a welfare program but closer to an annuity/insurance program, and under the "rules" of this program with your social security payments to the government, you get in return an income stream (when eligible) and you also get other "insurance" benefits such payments if you die to your surviving spouse/children, along with the benefit the op asked about.