Social Security Benefits
Social Security Benefits Information
Are you a survivor of someone who was receiving Social Security benefits? If so, you or another family member may qualify for monthly survivors benefits.
As the survivor, if you are the spouse, child or parent of someone who has worked long enough under the Social Security Administration you may qualify to receive certain benefits.
What are Social Security Death Benefits?
Social Security Death Benefits are paid to widows, widowers, and dependents of a deceased eligible worker. This benefit, meant to assist with a family's financial burden of losing the lost loved one's income, is particularly important for young families with children.
Monthly benefit amounts are based on the earnings of the person who died. The more they paid into Social Security, the higher your benefits would be. This amount is a percentage of the deceased's basic Social Security benefit.
Who May Be Eligible?
- Widows and widowers age 60 or older
- Widows and widowers age 50-59 who are disabled
- Widows and widowers of any age caring for a child under 16 or disabled
- Unmarried children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school)
- Disabled children of any age who became disabled before 22
- Dependent parents age 62 or older
One-Time Death Payment
A one-time lump sum death payment of $255 may be made to a surviving spouse if they were living with the deceased. If living apart, the spouse may still be eligible if they were receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased's record. If there is no surviving spouse, a child who is eligible for benefits may claim this payment.