Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night. In his speech, Walz credited a particular source of support for helping to get his family to where they are today — Social Security survivor benefits. His father died of lung cancer when Walz was 19, leaving a “mountain of medical debt,” Walz said. Social Security benefits allowed his family, including his mother and younger brother, to “live with dignity,” he recently posted on social media. “Thank God for Social Security survivor benefits,” Walz said during his Wednesday night speech. ‘Lots of kids … do not claim their survivor benefits’ About 3.7 million children receive Social Security benefits, according to recent Social Security Administration data. Children can receive benefits if they are unmarried and younger than 18; between 18 and 19 and are full-time students in grades 12 or below; and age 18 or older with a disability that…
