What must be established for a child to receive independent entitlement to death pension benefits?

For a child to receive independent entitlement to death pension benefits, it is essential that they must not have a surviving spouse. This criterion is crucial because the presence of a surviving spouse typically affects the distribution of benefits. The death pension is designed to provide financial support to dependents of deceased veterans, and if a child has a surviving spouse, their eligibility would typically be influenced by the spouse's financial situation and rights to inheritance.

In addition, the application process for benefits fundamentally recognizes the need to ensure that the funds are allocated to those who do not have other primary financial support through a spouse. Establishing this condition helps to prioritize aid to those dependents who might need it the most, such as children without the support of a surviving spouse.

Other factors like income levels, household composition, or age might impact the benefits received, but they do not determine the independent entitlement status as directly as the existence of a surviving spouse.