If you are the spouse, child, or parent of someone who worked and paid into Social Security, you may be eligible for monthly survivor benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). These benefits are designed to provide financial assistance after the loss of a loved one.
Survivor benefits are monthly payments made to certain family members of a deceased worker who earned enough credits under Social Security. The amount received depends on the deceased’s earnings over their lifetime—the more they paid into Social Security, the higher the potential benefit.
These benefits can be especially important for:
In addition to monthly benefits, Social Security also provides a one-time lump-sum death payment, typically paid to the surviving spouse living with the deceased at the time of death. If there is no eligible spouse, the payment may go to a child who qualifies for benefits.
These benefits can be especially important for:
Each situation is unique, and eligibility will be determined by the Social Security Administration based on your relationship and the deceased’s work history.
In most cases, the funeral home will notify the SSA
of the death as part of its service. However, it’s important to confirm this step has been completed. If the funeral home does not report the death, a family member should contact the SSA directly as soon as possible.
Important:
Deaths cannot be reported online,
and you cannot apply for survivor benefits online
at this time.
To report a death, ask questions, or apply for survivor benefits:
Call: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visit: ssa.gov/survivor
Fill Out: Lump-Sum Death Payment
