If you’re wondering who can receive a deceased person’s Social Security benefits, here’s a straightforward breakdown. Survivor benefits are based on the earnings of the deceased individual and can go to a surviving spouse, divorced spouse, children, or dependent parents.
Who Qualifies for Survivors Benefits?
1. Spouse or Ex-Spouse:
A surviving spouse of any age who is caring for the deceased’s child under age 16 or disabled can qualify.
A surviving divorced spouse can also receive benefits if the marriage lasts at least 10 years and other conditions are met.
2. Children:
Unmarried children under age 18, or up to age 19 if still in school, may be eligible.
Disabled children of any age who were disabled before age 22 can also qualify.
3. Dependent Parents:
Parents who relied on the deceased for at least half their support may be eligible, provided the deceased worked long enough under Social Security.
4. Lump-Sum Death Payment:
A one-time payment of $255 can go to a surviving spouse or child if certain conditions are met. You must apply for this within two years of the death.
How to Apply
You cannot apply for survivors benefits online. To get started:
- Call Social Security: Dial 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays.
- Visit a Local Office: Use the Social Security Office Locator to find your nearest branch.
- In many cases, the funeral home handling arrangements will notify Social Security, but it’s wise to confirm this.
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Required documents
In order to make an application, you will also need some documents such as a death certificate, your birth and marriage certificates (if any), social security numbers of all parties concerned and details of the deceased’s income. In case you lack some of the documents, the Social Security office will help you get them.
Refer to the official website of SSA for more information about the survivor’s benefits and the conditions to qualify for them.
Timing and processing
Such benefits should be applied for as soon as possible because they may not be granted retrospectively in some instances. If you are already entitled to Social Security benefits based on your own record, you have to ask for survivors’ benefits as a separate application. The processing time can take several weeks, and in most cases you will receive a written correspondence at the end of the processing period.
It is important to note that most benefits get automatically modified after a death report is available. For instance, if you are receiving benefits as a married individual, it may be possible to stop receiving these benefits without making a new application and starters benefits may be awarded.
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Things to keep in mind
In the unfortunate event that the death of a person affects the survivors, who were dependents on the deceased’s earnings – if he/she was the main or very significant breadwinner, for instance – this may have a bearing or contribution on your income. it will be beneficial to grasp the policies that govern these aspects in order to ensure that there are no possible limitations on what one can be able to obtain.
For more assistance, you may want to consult an SSA representative. They will help you understand exceptions and unusual eligibility requirements.
Where to get more help
In case of queries, the best options would be Social Security’s contacts available for toll-free call as well as the branch offices. Furthermore, there are step by step details, downloadable forms and calculators on the SSA site to help in calculating the prospective benefits to be derived from the deceased’s income. See the official page on survivors benefits for details.
