When someone passes away, their family members might qualify for Social Security benefits, provided the deceased had sufficient work history under Social Security. It's important to contact Social Security promptly to ensure your family claims all eligible benefits. Please review the details below carefully to understand what assistance may be available.
A lump-sum death benefit of $255 may be paid to a surviving spouse who was residing with the deceased at the time of death. If the spouse was living separately but receiving certain Social Security benefits based on the deceased's work record, they may still qualify. When no surviving spouse exists, this payment goes to an eligible child who qualifies for benefits on the deceased's record during the month of death.
Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including:
- A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled);
- A surviving spouse at any age who is caring for the deceased's child under age 16 or disabled;
- An unmarried child of the deceased who is younger than age 18 (or age 18 or 19 if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school); or age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22;
- Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support; and
- A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
The Social Security website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security's programs, including survivors benefits. In addition to using the Social Security website, you can call them toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. Staff can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. They can also provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call the TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.
