File for Social Security survivors benefits
Social Security is a federally funded insurance program that provides benefit payments to the surviving family of a deceased person.
After a death, it's important that you contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) very soon to not only request these benefits, but to prevent someone from committing identity theft using the deceased's Social Security Number.
There may be a variety of different types of Death Benefits available a Surviving Family, but eligibility is based upon a variety of circumstances, so it's best to speak with the Social Security Administration to identify what is most applicable.
Good to Know
In addition to ongoing survivor benefits, the surviving spouse or children of a deceased person may also be eligible for a one time payment of $255.
Important
You cannot report a death to the Social Security Administration through their website, it can only be done by phone. Call them using the module below.
Helpful Tips
Who is eligible for on-going Social Security survivors benefits?
Certain survivors are eligible to receive ongoing benefits outside of a one-time payment of $255.
They include:
- A surviving divorced spouse, in some circumstances based on the length of the marriage
- A widower/widow caring for the deceased’s child under age 16, or a child receiving disability child’s benefits
- A widower/widow age 60 and above (or above age 50 if they have a disability)
- Unmarried children who are either under 18 (up to 19 if they are full-time enrolled in elementary/secondary school)
- Unmarried children age 18 or older with a disability that started before age 22
- In some situations, a stepchild, grandchild, step grandchild, or adopted child
- Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support
Read More on the Social Security Administration website
Survivor’s benefits
Benefits for surviving spouses
Benefits for children
Benefits for parents
Benefits for divorced spouses
Personal Considerations
Did the deceased collect social security benefits?
Call the Social Security Administration to report the death (you cannot do this on their website). If you're already working with a funeral home, they may call on your behalf.
Follow the automated prompts to connect to the right department, and inform the customer service representative that you are calling to notify them about the death of a Social Security benefit recipient.
They will provide instructions about what additional documents will be needed, such as the deceased's:
- Death certificate
- Birth certificate or other proof of birth
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status
- W-2 forms and/or self-employment tax returns
- Marriage certificate
Before the call is over, they will also tell you if the surviving family is eligible for a one-time payment of $255.
A surviving spouse who was living with the deceased at the time of death will receive this one-time payment, but if there is no surviving spouse, it will be made to a surviving child.
Important
If applicable, they will also instruct you about what to do with any recently received social security benefits. Payments that were received within the same month the deceased passed, or any month after the death, will need to be returned.
For example, if a person passes away in January, the surviving spouse or executor must return the deceased’s benefit payment for February.
If funds were received by direct deposit, contact the bank and request that any payment received during the month of the death or later be returned.
Benefits received by check should be mailed back to the Social Security Administration as soon as possible. Do not cash any checks received for the month in which the person dies or later.
Providers
It may be helpful to speak with a Probate Attorney if you have any questions. Find them at the links below.
The Social Security Administration should still be contacted and notified of the death, because it helps prevent against identity theft.
It can also help to notify other agencies, such as credit bureaus, that the person is deceased.
You cannot notify the Social Security Administration about the death through their website; it can only be done by phone.
You can call them by clicking here.
Call the Social Security Administration to report the death (you cannot do this on their website). If you're already working with a funeral home, they may call on your behalf.
Follow the automated prompts to connect to the right department, and inform the customer service representative that you are calling to notify them about the death of a Social Security benefit recipient.
They will provide instructions about what additional documents will be needed, such as the deceased's:
- Death certificate
- Birth certificate or other proof of birth
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status
- W-2 forms and/or self-employment tax returns
- Marriage certificate
Before the call is over, they will also tell you if the surviving family is eligible for a one-time payment of $255.
A surviving spouse who was living with the deceased at the time of death will receive this one-time payment, but if there is no surviving spouse, it will be made to a surviving child.
Important
If applicable, they will also instruct you about what to do with any recently received social security benefits. Payments that were received within the same month the deceased passed, or any month after the death, will need to be returned.
For example, if a person passes away in January, the surviving spouse or executor must return the deceased’s benefit payment for February.
If funds were received by direct deposit, contact the bank and request that any payment received during the month of the death or later be returned.
Benefits received by check should be mailed back to the Social Security Administration as soon as possible. Do not cash any checks received for the month in which the person dies or later.
Providers
It may be helpful to speak with a Probate Attorney if you have any questions. Find them at the links below.
The Social Security Administration should still be contacted and notified of the death, because it helps prevent against identity theft.
It can also help to notify other agencies, such as credit bureaus, that the person is deceased.
You cannot notify the Social Security Administration about the death through their website; it can only be done by phone.
You can call them by clicking here.
Providers to Contact
Probate Attorneys Near You
Probate Attorneys can help you identify and apply for social security benefits owed to the deceased. They help settle a deceased person’s estate.
