A family member or other
person responsible for the beneficiary's affairs should do the following:
- Promptly notify Social Security of the
beneficiary's death by calling SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.
- If monthly benefits were being paid via
direct deposit, notify the bank or other financial institution of the beneficiary's death.
Request that any funds received for the month of death and later be returned to Social
Security as soon as possible.
- If benefits were being paid by check, DO NOT
CASH any checks received for the month in which the beneficiary died or thereafter. Return
the checks to Social Security as soon as possible.
One-time Lump Sum Death Benefit:
A one-time payment of $255 is payable to
the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the beneficiary at the time of death, OR
if living apart, was receiving Social Security benefits on the beneficiary's earnings
record. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who was eligible
for benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record in the month of death.
Benefits for Survivors
Monthly survivors benefits can be paid to
certain family members, including the beneficiary's widow or widower, dependent children
and dependent parents. The following booklets contain more information about filing for
benefits and can be downloaded by clicking on the title. |
Social
Security
