Social Security Benefits
What are Social Security Death Benefits?
Eligible widows, widowers, and dependents of a deceased worker who accrued enough Social Security credits during their lifetime are paid Social Security Death Benefits. These benefits, which are especially crucial for young families with children who relied on that income for everyday living expenses, are intended to help families deal with the heavy financial burden that results from losing a loved one's income.
The monthly amount of survivor benefits is determined by the deceased person's lifetime earnings. In general, surviving family members will receive larger monthly benefits from Social Security if they made greater contributions during their working years. A portion of the deceased worker's basic Social Security retirement or disability benefit is represented by the benefit amount.
Lump-Sum Death Payment
Additionally, a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 can be paid under specific circumstances:
- To the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased at the time of death
- To the surviving spouse who was living apart but was receiving certain Social Security benefits based on the deceased's work record
- To an eligible child when there is no surviving spouse who qualifies
While this one-time payment is modest, it can help offset some immediate expenses following a death.
Who Qualifies for Social Security Survivor Benefits?
Several categories of family members may be eligible to receive ongoing monthly Social Security survivor benefits:
Surviving Spouses:
- A widow or widower age 60 or older (or age 50 or older if disabled)
- A surviving divorced spouse under certain specific circumstances, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years
- A widow or widower at any age who is caring for the deceased's child who is either under age 16 or disabled and receiving child's benefits
Children of the Deceased:
An unmarried child of the deceased who meets one of the following criteria:
- Younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if he or she is enrolled as a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school)
- Age 18 or older with a qualifying disability that began before age 22
Dependent Parents:
- Parents age 62 or older who were financially dependent on the deceased for at least half of their financial support
- Each family situation is unique, and eligibility can depend on various factors including work history, family composition, and specific circumstances. Our staff at Thomas E. Fickinger Funeral Home can help you understand whether you or your family members may qualify.
What Steps Should Survivor’s Take?
In most cases, the funeral home will report the person's death to the Social Security Administration on behalf of the family as part of our comprehensive services. However, if this has not been done or you are uncertain, a surviving family member should notify the Social Security Administration as soon as possible following the date of death to stop any benefit payments to the deceased and begin the process of applying for survivor benefits.
Important limitations:
- Deaths cannot be reported online to Social Security
- Survivor benefits cannot be applied for online
- You must contact Social Security directly by phone or visit a local office
Prompt notification is important because:
- It prevents overpayments that would need to be returned
- It allows survivor benefits to begin as quickly as possible
- It ensures proper handling of any benefits the deceased was receiving
You should have the following information available when you contact Social Security:
- The deceased's Social Security number
- Date and place of death
- Death certificate (if available)
- Your own Social Security number and those of eligible family members
How Do I Contact the Social Security Administration?
If you need to report a death, apply for survivor benefits, or have questions about whether you qualify to receive benefits, contact the Social Security Administration directly:
Social Security Administration National Contact Number: 1-800-772-1213
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (local time)
For the Deaf or Hard of Hearing:
TTY:
1-800-325-0778
Additional Information Online:
Visit
ssa.gov/benefits/survivors for comprehensive information about survivor benefits, eligibility requirements, and the application process.
Local Social Security Office:
You may also schedule an appointment to visit your local Social Security office in person for assistance with your claim.