Social Security Benefits

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Social Security

 If you are the spouse, child or parent of someone who has worked long enough under the Social Security Administration you may qualify to receive certain benefits.

Are you a survivor of someone who was receiving Social Security benefits? If so, you or another family member may qualify for monthly survivors benefits. As the survivor, if you are the spouse, child or parent of someone who has worked long enough under the Social Security Administration you may qualify to receive certain benefits.

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What are Social Security Death Benefits?

Social Security death benefits are paid to widows, widowers, and dependents of an eligible worker who has died. This benefit helps offset the financial impact of losing a loved one's income, and is especially important for young families with children.


Monthly benefit amounts are based on how much the deceased paid into Social Security over their working life, the more they paid in, the higher the survivor benefit.



Additionally, a one-time lump-sum payment of $255 may be paid to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased, or who was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased's record. If there's no surviving spouse, the payment goes to an eligible child. This payment must be claimed within two years of the death, so it's worth applying promptly.

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Who Qualifies for Benefits?

  • A widow or widower age 60 or older
  • A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances
  • A widow or widower at any age who is caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving child’s benefits
  • An unmarried child of the deceased who is one of the following: Younger than age 18 (up to age 19 if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school).
  • Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.

What Steps Should Survivor’s Take?

In most cases, the funeral home will report the death to Social Security. If not, a surviving family member should notify the SSA as soon as possible. Deaths can't be reported online, and benefits can't be applied for online, this has to be done by phone or in person.

How Do I Contact the Social Security Administration?

If you need to report a death or apply for benefits, or have questions about qualifying to receive survivor’s benefits, call 1-800-772-1213.
Additional information is available online at ssa.gov/benefits/survivors.