Under the dependent criteria, which individual is conclusively wholly dependent on a deceased employee if the surviving spouse earned $30,000 or less in the year before death?

• A. Spouse earning $25,000 or less in the 12 months preceding death
• B. Spouse earning $35,000
• C. Child over 18
• D. Grandchild

Answer: (A)

Under the dependent criteria, a surviving spouse is deemed conclusively wholly dependent if their earnings in the year before death were $30,000 or less. In this scenario, the surviving spouse earning $25,000 falls within that limit, so they are conclusively wholly dependent on the deceased employee. The other options don’t fit: a spouse earning $35,000 is above the threshold and not conclusively wholly dependent; a child over 18 typically isn’t considered wholly dependent unless specific student-status conditions apply; and a grandchild isn’t automatically deemed wholly dependent under this rule.