Social Security Benefits
Understanding Social Security Survivor Benefits
If you are the spouse, child, or parent of someone who worked and paid into Social Security, you may be eligible for
monthly survivor benefits through the
Social Security Administration (SSA). These benefits are designed to provide financial assistance after the loss of a loved one.
What Are Social Security Survivor Benefits?
Survivor benefits are monthly payments made to certain family members of a deceased worker who earned enough credits under Social Security. The amount received depends on the deceased’s earnings over their lifetime—the more they paid into Social Security, the higher the potential benefit.
These benefits can be especially important for:
- Widows or widowers
- Dependent children
- Surviving divorced spouses
- Dependent parents
In addition to monthly benefits, Social Security also provides a
one-time lump-sum death payment, typically paid to the surviving spouse living with the deceased at the time of death. If there is no eligible spouse, the payment may go to a child who qualifies for benefits.
Who May Qualify for Survivor Benefits?
Survivor benefits may be available to:
- A widow or widower age 60 or older (or age 50 if disabled)
- A widow or widower of any age caring for the deceased’s child under age 16 or with a disability
- An unmarried child of the deceased who is:
- Under age 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school)
- Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22
- A surviving divorced spouse, in certain situations
- Dependent parents age 62 or older, if the deceased provided at least half their support
Each situation is unique, and eligibility will be determined by the Social Security Administration based on your relationship and the deceased’s work history.
What Should Survivors Do After a Death?
In most cases, the funeral home will notify the SSA of the death as part of its service. However, it’s important to confirm this step has been completed. If the funeral home does not report the death, a family member should contact the SSA directly as soon as possible.
Important: Deaths
cannot be reported online, and
you cannot apply for survivor benefits online at this time.
How to Contact the Social Security Administration
To report a death, ask questions, or apply for survivor benefits:
Call: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visit:
ssa.gov/survivor
