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I was curious about that too, so I went to the Social Security Website and saw this:

"Your unmarried children who are under 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when you die. And your child can get benefits at any age if he or she was disabled before age 22 and remains disabled. Besides your natural children, your stepchildren, grandchildren, step grandchildren or adopted children may receive benefits under certain circumstances.

A child under age 18 (19 if still in elementary or secondary school) or disabled -- 75 percent of the father's annual income.

There's a limit to the amount that family members can receive each month. The limit varies, but it is generally equal to about 150 to 180 percent of the basic benefit rate."

So if I read that, it is possible (according to the site) that the mother receives a maximum of 75% of her children's father's annual income if she is not working and caring for them. The maximum a single child would get would be 75% of the father's income up to the age of 18. if there are multiple children, as a group they would get 150-180% altogether of their father's income.

So, if the father made $100K a year for a certain number of years, then at death, his wife would get $75K, and his kid would get $75K. Depending on how many "Credits" have been accumulated by the father's work, the more the aggregate group of children would get, but likely if four or more, the maximum amount for all of them would be $180K per year.

The thing I don't understand, is what if the father doesn't work? Do they count unemployment benefits or any other kind of government assistance towards the annual income when calculating how much survivors get? There was a small paragraph that indicates there is a minimum amount of some kind: "...The number of credits you need to have family members be eligible for survivors benefits depends on your age when you die. The younger you are, the fewer credits you need, but nobody needs more than 40 credits (10 years of work). Under a special rule, we can pay benefits to your children and your spouse who is caring for the children even if you don't have the number of credits needed. They can get benefits if you have credits for one and one-half year's work (6 credits) in the three years just before your death.

I bet as sure as God made little green apples, that there is an accommodation for someone whose deceased "spouse", "partner" or "father" has no recorded income.