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Social Security Benefits

Our funeral home staff is happy to help you understand the social security process. We will do everything we can to answer any questions you may have. You can learn more about social security here. We have also provided some links and more information to assist you further.

Social Security benefits

Social Security benefits are available for the spouse or child of a worker who is deceased. Survivors of the deceased can receive a monthly check based on the number of credits a worker has contributed to Social Security during his or her lifetime.

Eligible monthly recipients of the worker’s social security benefits include:

  • A widow or widower 60-years-old or older, as young as 50-years-old if disabled, or at any age if caring for an entitled child who is under 16-years-old or disabled. Remarrying after the age of 60 (50 if disabled) will not affect your eligibility.
  • A divorced widow or widower 60-years-old or older or as young as 50-years-old if disabled, as long as the marriage lasted 10 years, or if an entitled child who is 16-years-old or disabled is in the person’s care.
  • Unmarried children under the age of 18 or up to the age of 19 attending primary or secondary school full-time. A child can receive benefits at any time if he or she is disabled before age 22.
  • Dependent parents 62-years-old or older previously receiving at least one-half of the deceased support.


LUMP SUM DEATH PAYMENT

A one-time payment of $255 can be made to eligible survivors if the worker worked long enough to be insured with Social Security. Survivors must meet certain requirements to be considered eligible for receipt:

  • A widow or widower if he or she was living with the deceased. If not living with the deceased, the surviving spouse must have been receiving certain Social Security benefits on record of the deceased.
  • A child eligible for benefits on the deceased’s record in the month of death if there is no surviving spouse.
  • No lump-sum death payment will be made if there are no eligible parties.

APPLYING FOR BENEFITS

In order to apply for benefits, the death needs to be reported to the Social Security Administration. Benefits may not be retroactive, so it’s important to apply promptly. Make an appointment to visit your local Social Security office by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Business hours are 7:00am-7:00pm.

Helpful Documents & Links

Social Security survivor benefits page
Basic Social Security Information PDF
How Social Security can help form PDF

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