Social Security Benefits

Guiding You Through The Process

The family members of the deceased may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits if the deceased had worked long enough under Social Security to qualify for benefits. It's important to contact the Social Security office as soon as possible to ensure that the family receives all the benefits they are entitled to. Please carefully read the following information to understand what benefits may be available.


A one-time payment of $255 is paid in addition to the monthly cash benefits described above. The lump-sum death payment (LSDP) is paid in the following priority order:


  • A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as the deceased person at the time of death
  • A surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death
  • A child or children eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death

To receive monthly benefits, the deceased worker must have credit for work covered by Social Security ranging from 1 1/2 to 10 years depending on his or her age at death. Those eligible for monthly benefits include:


  • 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.


Visit the Social Security website for information about all of Social Security's programs, including survivors' benefits.

You can also call them toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. Staff can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., M-F. 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.

Do:

Express your condolences

Veteran eligibility for burial benefits, death benefits, and memorial items hinges on various factors, primarily verified through the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214). Pre-1950, different military branches utilized similar forms. In the absence of a DD Form 214, alternative documents demonstrating honorable discharge may suffice, and replacements can be obtained through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Dress appropriately

Times have changed, and dressing all in black for a funeral is no longer necessary, but wearing jeans and a t-shirt is not appropriate either. You should still dress nicely and modestly, avoiding bright or flashy colors. Aim for an outfit you would wear to a wedding or a job interview.

Sign the register book

The family will keep the register book as a memento for years. Make sure to provide your full name and your relationship to the deceased. You are also welcome to leave a message.

Give a gift

You don’t need to go overboard with your gift; it is the thought that counts. Suitable gifts include: flowers, a donation to the charity of the family’s choice, or a commitment of service to the family at a later date. A commitment of service can be something as simple as cooking dinner for them, offering to clean up their house, or any of the “little” things that may be neglected while a family deals with death. Make sure you provide a signed card so the family knows who gave the gift.

Keep in Touch

You might think that the family needs their space and time to grieve, but a simple phone call or note after the funeral lets the family know you care. With social networking, leaving a quick note is as simple as a click of a mouse. The months following a death is when grieving friends and family need the most support.

Don't:

Bring your cell phone

Please remember the following:

Your phone ringing would be highly inappropriate and would cause a disturbance. Turn off any ringers or notifications. Even better, leave your phone at home or in your car. A funeral is not the time to be texting or checking your messages.

Allow your children to be a distraction

From a very young age, children are aware of death, and if the funeral is for someone that was close to them (grandparent, aunt, uncle), they should be given the option of attending. If it is not appropriate for your child to be there, or if you feel they will cause a commotion, it might be best to find appropriate care for them for the day.

Be afraid to remember the good times

Funerals are obviously a time of grieving and mourning, but remembering the good times helps with the healing process. Sharing a funny and appropriate story is acceptable, and in some cases, it's exactly what the deceased would have wanted.

Overindulge

If food or drink is served, don't over-do it. Remember that you won't be the only attendee. If alcohol is served, limit yourself to one or two.