When Tragedy Occurs, Your Family Can Count on Us
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 6, 2023
Tragedy strikes without warning. For families who lose a wage earner, it can have a devastating financial impact in addition to the emotional one.
Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin says that Social Security touches the lives of every American, often in times of tragedy and uncertainty. It’s true. Our programs go beyond retirement and disability benefits. Social Security helps care for the surviving families of deceased entitled workers.
If you work, some of the Social Security taxes you pay now go toward survivors benefits for workers and their families. In the event of your death, certain family members — widows, widowers (including your divorced spouse), children and dependent parents — may be eligible for survivors benefits. Social Security’s survivors benefits may be more valuable than your individual life insurance.
The benefit amount your family is eligible for depends on your average lifetime earnings. The more you earned, the more their benefits will be. Check your Social Security Statement to see an estimate of survivors benefits we could pay. You can create a secure my Social Security account to access your Statement anytime and see an estimate of these benefits. With a my Social Security account, you can also see an estimate of your retirement and disability benefits, and ot her important information. You can also visit our Benefits Planner to help you better understand your and your family’s, Social Security protection as you plan for your financial future.
In certain circumstances, we also make a one-time payment of $255 to your spouse or child if you’ve worked long enough. Survivors must apply for this payment within two years of the date of death.
For more information about how Social Security’s survivors benefits can help your surviving dependents, please read Survivors Benefits or visit our website. No one likes to think about death, but, unfortunately, it’s inevitable. When it happens, know that you can count on Social Security to be there for your loved ones.
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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P. F.
How long should it take before the Administration makes payment to minor children of a deceased worker? What happens if the Administration “loses” the application and then finds it but states that benefits will not be paid for the immediate time after the death because the filing was “too late”?
Brenda J.
I’m looking for my husbands 2014 yearly statement that shows if he would have become disabled what he would have earned. Ricky Max Smith DOB 8/7/55
↵SS# *** – ** – ***. Passed away 3/11/14 anyway you can email me this Thank you Brenda Smith SS ***-**-****
ANTOINETTE B.
AFTER MY HUSBANDS DEATH THE FUNERAL HOME CONTACTED SOCIAL SECURITY TO NOTIFY THEM OF HIS DEATH ON APRIL 8, 2018. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE I SHOULD SEND THE CERTIFICATE OF DEATH? OR, IF I HAVE TO SEND IT AT ALL?
PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU.
R.F.
We are sorry for your loss, Antoinette. Usually, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting their local Social Security office. To verify if this information was reported, and to see if you are eligible for any survivor’s benefits, you need to talk to a Social Security representatives.
You cannot report a death or apply for survivors’ benefits online.
Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or you can also contact your local Social Security office. Thanks.
Kay J.
My niece just lost her mother. She is 22 and a full time student. Her father died in 2003. I was wondering what happens to her father’s social security benefits as her mother died also (she got remarried 2007). Does her deceased father’s social security benefits will not have any beneficiary in later date?
R.F.
There may be survivor’s benefits for widows/widowers, surviving divorced spouses and children (in some cases step-children) of the deceased worker. If there are no eligible survivors the worker’s contributions stay in the Social Security trust fund. See our Benefits Planner: Survivors for more information. Thanks!
victor k.
How can I access my deceased father’s years of substantial earnings ? It’s information to help me determine whether I am eligible for the DAC program. I have a severe disability and would like to find out if it help me ?
R.F.
The Privacy Act prohibits Federal agencies from disclosing personal information without the person’s consent, except under certain conditions.
We pay disability benefits through two programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
If a person believes they are disabled and meet our definition of disability, we encourage them to apply for disability as soon as possible. You can apply online.
You can also apply by calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or you can contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks!
Linda G.
I am 57 years old and I was married for 20 years we are now divorced. I am on Social Security disability and he is on Social Security he is also a veteran. when can I start drawing from his benefits.. neither one of us have ever remarried
R.F.
Hello Jan, you may be able to receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record at age 62 if:
• You were married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years;
• You are unmarried;
• Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits and,
• The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work.
For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced. Thanks!
Linda G.
My ex husband passed away two months ago at the age of 67. We were married for over 10 years and I know I’m qualified to draw his benefits at the age of 62. I am 55 years old and I am on Social Security disability does the fact that I’m on Social Security Disability make me eligible to draw of his social security before the age of 62. Someone told me that you could do it at the age of 50
R.F.
Hello Linda. If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who dies, you could get benefits just the same as a widow or widower, provided that your marriage lasted 10 years or more. A widow (surviving divorced spouse), could begin to receive benefits as early as age 50 if she is disabled and the disability started before or within seven years of the worker’s death.
You cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks!
Pearlene M.
How do I apply for the one time payment of $255 for my brothers death. He died 2/8/18. I am his sister. I have given the SSA office in Greenbelt Maryland a copy of his death certificate. I am also the administrator of his estate.
Don
I would have filed for this directly upon my father’s death in 2003 but had no idea this existed. I think it’s horrible that simply because we weren’t notified or told about this at that time that there is a 2 year limit for filing for the $255! SS should be forced to disclose and alert a family member when notified of the death of someone on SS, that this benefit exists and how to file. Staying silent should be a crime and probably leaves tens of thousands w/o knowing about this fact and therefore saves SS from having to pay out what they should.
Rose O.
My name is Rose O’Rourke, from New Jersey (South Jersey) and I am trying to locate the state where my aunt died….Her name was Emma Heimack, bor 12/14/1915 in Philadelphia, Pa…she married in 1935 and her marriage name was Hettich….I believe she died late 80’s or in the 1990’s….I have exhausted every resource I can find…I believe she may have been cremated and buried with others…Thank you for any help you can give….Rose
R.F.
Hi Rose, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on this topic. Thanks.