Social Security is here to support you when you lose a family member. Contacting us when you lose a loved one is very important. This ensures that we are able to provide information regarding benefits you may be entitled to. You may be able to receive Social Security benefits if your loved one worked long enough in jobs insured under Social Security to qualify for benefits.
What to do:
You should give the deceased’s Social Security number to the funeral director because they usually report the person’s death to us.
Contact us as soon as you can to make sure your family gets all the benefits they’re entitled to.
Eligibility:
A one-time lump sum death payment (LSDP) of $255 to the surviving spouse under one of the following conditions:
If they were living with the deceased.
If they were living apart from the deceased and eligible for certain Social Security benefits on the deceased's record.
If there's no surviving spouse, a child who's eligible for benefits on the deceased's record in the month of death can receive this payment.
Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including:
A surviving spouse who is:
Age 60 or older (age 50 or older if they have a disability).
Any age and caring for the deceased's child who is under age 16, or who has a disability and is receiving Social Security benefits.
An unmarried child of the deceased who is either:
Younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if they're a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school).
Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.
A stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild, or adopted child under certain circumstances.
Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least ½ of their support.
A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
More Information
If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefits received for the month of death and any later months. If the payment was received by direct deposit, contact the bank or other financial institution. Ask them to return any funds received for the month of death or later. If the benefit was paid by check, please do not cash. Instead, return the checks to us as soon as possible. Keep in mind that eligible family members may be able to receive survivors’ benefits for the month the beneficiary died.
If you are unable to use their online services, you can call them toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or use their TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, if you are deaf or hard of hearing. They also provide free interpreter services upon request.
To connect with a representative more quickly, consider calling during less busy times. Early mornings (between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time) or later in the day, particularly later in the week (Wednesday to Friday) and later in the month, tend to be less busy."
