How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies

Social Security should be notified of a death as soon as possible.  Most funeral homes, including Sonoran Skies Mortuary, will notify Social Security of the death of your loved one as soon as they obtain all of the vital statistics info from the family.  This is a process that is taken care of electronically during the initial filing of the death certificate.

Some of the deceased’s family members may be able to receive Social Security benefits if the deceased person worked long enough under Social Security to qualify for benefits. Contact Social Security as soon as you can to make sure the family gets all the benefits they’re entitled.

Social Security can pay a one-time payment of $255.00 to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased. If living apart and getting certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record, the surviving spouse may still be able to get this one-time payment. If there’s no surviving spouse, a child who’s eligible for benefits on the deceased’s record in the month of death can get this payment. 

Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including:

• A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled);  
• A widow or widower any age caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled;  
• An unmarried child of the deceased who is: Younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school); or  
• Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22;  
• A stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild, or adopted child under certain circumstances;  
• Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support; and  
• A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.

If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefit received for the month of death or any later months. For example, if the person dies in July, you must return the benefit paid in August. If received by direct deposit, contact the bank or other financial institution and ask them to return any funds received for the month of death or later. If paid by check, do not cash any checks received for the month the person dies or later. Return the checks to Social Security as soon as possible.

However, eligible family members may be able to receive death benefits for the month the beneficiary died.

Contacting Social Security

Visit www.socialsecurity.gov anytime to apply for benefits, find publications, and get answers to frequently asked questions. Or, call them toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.  They can answer case-specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. And, remember, their website, www.socialsecurity.gov, is available to you anytime and anywhere!