Social Security provides a one-time $255 lump-sum death payment to a surviving spouse or eligible child. Additionally, surviving family members may qualify for ongoing survivor benefits: up to 100% of the deceased's benefit for a surviving spouse at full retirement age, and benefits for dependent children under 18.
10 steps across 2 sections
1. Steps Process
- Report the death — Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213. Funeral homes often report automatically.
- Apply for the $255 lump-sum death payment — Available to surviving spouse living with the deceased, or eligible dependent child.
- Apply for survivor benefits — Surviving spouse (age 60+, or 50+ if disabled), surviving divorced spouse, dependent children under 18 (or 19 if in school), and dependent parents age 62+.
- Provide documentation — Death certificate, SSN, marriage certificate, birth certificates for children.
2. Key Details
- $255 lump-sum payment: Only for surviving spouse or eligible child
- Survivor benefits: Up to 100% of deceased's benefit at full retirement age
- Reduced benefits available as early as age 60 (50 if disabled)
- Children under 18: Up to 75% of deceased's benefit
- Family maximum: 150-180% of deceased's benefit
- Remarriage before age 60 may affect survivor benefit eligibility
Pro Tips
- Apply promptly — some benefits are not retroactive
- If receiving your own SS benefit, you may switch to survivor benefit if higher
- Widows/widowers can take reduced survivor benefits at 60 and switch to their ...
- Divorced spouses may qualify if marriage lasted 10+ years