Social Security Benefits
Some of the deceased’s family members may be eligible to receive Social Security survivor benefits if the deceased worked long enough under Social Security to qualify. We encourage families to contact Social Security as soon as possible to make sure they receive all benefits to which they may be entitled.
How Do I Contact the Social Security Administration?
If you need to report a death, apply for benefits or have questions about eligibility for survivor benefits, call 1-800-772-1213.
Additional information is available online at ssa.gov/benefits/survivors.
What Social Security Benefits May Be Available After a Death?
A one-time payment of $255 may be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased; or, if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment may be made to a child who is eligible for benefits on the deceased’s record in 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
- A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances
The Social Security website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs.