Can a step parent be the recipient of a step child's surviorship benefit?

as far as i know, the step-parent does not have any rights to the survivorship benefits, that is soley for the child and yes the benefits can be used as income for a loan or mortgage, but i believe the biological parent has to apply for the loan or possibly be a cosigner with proof of the income you can go to the social security website and look for specifics on survivorship benefits