Social Security
We know you may have questions surrounding Social Security and what your responsibilities are when someone who was receiving benefits passes away. We take the first step in the notification process when we enter your loved one’s social security number into the death certificate. From there, your family will need to follow up with their office to see what benefits you qualify for, and inquire whether their last check will need to be returned or not. Below is some brief information to answer some common questions. For more information, please call their office at 1 (800) 772-1213
Eligibility
The deceased worker must have credit for work covered by Social Security, ranging from 1-1/2 to 10 years depending on his or her age at death. Those who may receive monthly benefits are:
- A widow or widower age 60 (50 if disabled) or older or at any age if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled
- A divorced widow or widower age 60 (50 if disabled) or older if the marriage lasted 10 years or if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled
- Unmarried children up to 18 (19 if they are attending a primary or secondary school full-time)
- Children who were disabled before reaching 22, as long as they remained disabled
- Dependent parent or parents 62 or older
Lump-Sum Death Payment
A one-time payment of $255 is paid in addition to the monthly cash benefits described above. The lump-sum death payment (LSDP) is paid in the following priority order:
- A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as the deceased person at the time of death
- A surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death
- A child or children eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death
We hope this information was helpful to you. Part of our service to you at the time of death, will be assisting you in ensuring you receive all of the benefits available to you.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
