General, Online Services, Survivors

When Tragedy Occurs, Your Family Can Count on Us

April 11, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 6, 2023

Older woman comforting a young boyTragedy 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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

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Comments

  1. Doris W.

    I have been received spousal benefits since 2003. My husband died after we were married 9 1/2 months. Why is there a question about maybe getting too much benefits. The social security office set all this up.

  2. Geraldine D.

    If someone passes to they at least get one more check

  3. Jennifer T.

    How do I report the death of my mother?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Jennifer. We are very sorry for your loss. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office. To verify this information was reported, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or you can contact your local Social Security office directly.

      You may also find our factsheet helpful on How Social Security Can Help When a Family Member Dies.

  4. Roxana C.

    My father was receiving SS benefits. He passed away. How do I go about reporting to the SS office. Is there any kind of forms I need to fill out?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Roxana. We are very sorry for your loss. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office. To verify this information was reported, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or you can contact your local Social Security office directly.

      See our Factsheet on How Social Security Can Help When a Family Member Dies.

  5. Becky J.

    My brother passed away about 5 months ago. A month or so prior our sister which was supposed to be caring for him decided she could no longer care for him and moved out. She had his medical cards, Food stamp card as well as his bank card in which his benefits were deposited in. I came to stay n help our mom with him, he kept asking mom why Ellie wouldn’t bring him his money, he then took a turn for the worse and passed away. We noticed that even tho Daniel lived with our mom, Ellie had his address changed to a point box in Montezuma, In. She will not communicate with the family and we have had to even get police help for her harrassing our mom. Mom is paying for my brother’s funeral and the funeral home was supposed to file for the one time benefits to help pay for his final expenses. We have also heard that Ellie Tallman is still receiving Daniel Tallmans Monthly benefits. We do not want to put his social security number on here, however I do wish to speak to someone about this. It is not fair to our mom to have to pay for Daniel funeral and Ellie receive the benefits for it. Eliie got by with using his money for her own personal use for several months before my brother passed. I know for the last almost two months my mom paid for whatever Daniel needed because Ellie wouldn’t/didn’t bring Daniel any of his money. We also know that Daniel had another lump sum payment due to go into his account which he never received. The first lump sum payment he received there was very little that he was able or allowed to receive, it was whatever she wanted him to have which was little to nothing. Nothing was being bought for him, what she done with his money we will never know. We do know she suddenly got a house when she moved, after complain for 2/3 yrs. How she couldn’t afford her own place because she only works part-time at pizza hut. My phone number is 8122364077 please do not give my phone number out or my name, I’m just trying to help my mom get this figured out and so mom can possibly get a little help with my brother funeral bill.

  6. Robin B.

    My father passed away on Dec. 20th, 2018 and I would like to notify social security of his passing.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Robin, we are very sorry for your loss. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office. To verify this information was reported, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or you can contact your local Social Security office directly.

      See our Factsheet on How Social Security Can Help When a Family Member Dies.

  7. Martha J.

    When the “windfall profit” of my husband’s death 4.5 yrs ago ended our small business, my “survivor” benefit (more like penalty) went from $1760.00/mo to $229.00/mo. Adding insult to injury, ss “overpaid” me so I received NO MONEY for NINE MONTHS. Explain how I can pay mortgage, utilities, taxes not to mention fuel or food on MTRB of $1380/mo, particularly when I paid more than my 40 1/4s from non-government jobs?????!!!!!!!

  8. Jean

    My husband passed on 12/20/18. What should ido

  9. Rose M.

    My father passed away this morning Dec 13, 2018

  10. Effie S.

    I am trying to find out how to apply for the one time $255 death death benefit for my daughter, who passed away Dec2,2018.her name is Melissa St Onge

    • Karl C.

      Kudos for the inspiring blog you’ve set up at blog.ssa.gov. Your enthusiastic take on the subject is absolutely contagious. Thanks again!

      http://ttree.co/85054

    • Bobby R.

      I more or less share your take on this topic and look forward to upcoming posts and comments here at blog.ssa.gov. Thanks!

      http://swish.st/86311

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