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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  4. Dave J.

    I’m thinking of moving to Alabama from Florida, where I’ve lived all my life, how do I transfer my disability, and food assistance to another State ,or will it fallow me as , or “IF” I move, I’ve been handicapped since 1975, and it took most of my life to get my disability,I didn’t get it until 2013. it was most difficult, they say ,I fell into the cracks of the system…and quite a few other reasons that were very frustrating to say the least, I had a spinal injury [1975]and left me paralyzed on the right side for ever, how would a person fake that??? anyway, I get my small check,[6K/yr.] and I would be devastated to lose it, for any reason. I cannot afford to lose it now that I’m nearly 60….it’s not much, but I try to manage…

  5. GLoria D.

    IÑ 1979 my husband died of a heart attack, he had retired on disability and was drawing a social security check… My husband b
    died in the bed with me… AT the time, we had lived together for seven years and legally married for five months before his death and was told by as that I was not legally married long enoth which would have to be nine months. I still do not have a legal right to see his file

  6. David A.

    My wife Betty Sorge Avery died on Jan. 18th 2016 so I contacted Social Security and let them know. She was suppose to receive her December 2015 Social Social Security check on Jan. 23rd 2016.

    I contacted Social Security in Feb and let them know I had not received her December Social Security check
    for $819. I provided copies of her Birth certificate,our Marriage License and Her Death certificate which they ask for. This is April 14th and was wondering if I should contact them again?

    • Ray F.

      We are sorry to hear about your loss Mr. Avery. You should have completed an SSA-1724 Form, “Claim for Amount Due in the Case of a Deceased Beneficiary”, along with the documents you mentioned. The request is then sent to our payment center for processing. You can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and ask one of our representatives for an update, or contact the local office directly. Thanks

      • Blake

        Good luck Mr Avery. My husband passed Jan 2, 2016 and SSA 1724 filed with all required documents and was told it was received 2/2/2016. Still can’t get an answer when December 2015 payment will be paid. Calling the 800-772-1213 will get nothing but a different answer each time you call. So sad it takes so long to get what’s owed and even sadder still, you get the run around from people who don’t care or have answers to your questions, 30 to 45 days, 5 months, after you get a letter, has processed, is pending, I’ve heard it all! Good luck with your update. And honestly the 1724 form is a formality SSA knows your family member has passed.

  7. BERNARD H.

    When Tragedy Occurs, Your Family Can Count on Us ” IS A FALSE STATEMENT, MY GRANDSON WAS BORN WITH NO LEFT HAND,,HE CANNOT WORK , HE HAS GONE TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT AT VARIOUS PLACES, STOCKINGSHELVES . NEED TWO HANDS ,,CANNOT LIFT MORE THAN 20 LBS . , INSURANCE LIABILIT ATEMPLOYERS WORK SITE ,,HE CAN DRIVE , HE PLAYES BASEBALL , HE FLY FISHES , BUT EMPLOYERS SEE A INSURANCE RISK ,,WHAT TO DO ,,718 698 5813.

  8. BERNARD H.

    When Tragedy Occurs, Your Family Can Count on Us ” IS A FALSE STATEMENT, MY GRANDSON WAS BORN WITH NO LEFT HAND,,HE CANNOT WORK , HE HAS GONE TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT AT VARIOUS PLACES, STOCKINGSHELVES . NEED TWO HANDS ,,CANNOT LIFT MORE THAN 20 LBS . , INSURANCE LIABILIT ATEMPLOYERS WORK SITE ,,HE CAN DRIVE , HE PLAYES BASEBALL , HE FLY FISHES , BUT EMPLOYERS SEE A INSURANCE RISK ,,WHAT TO DO ,,718 698 5813.

  9. Glenda L.

    Carmen: Please check into life insurance now as the older you get the more in premiums you will have to pay. You will want to shop for a policy whose rate will never go up and be wise and purchase as much insurance as you can afford. At your age you can get policies for as cheap as $10.00 or less each month. Shop around and look at the offers from different companies. Make sure you contact your local SS office for any questions you have concerning benefits your sons would receive should anything happen to you.

  10. Carmen G.

    I have had Muliple Sclerosis for 16 years and started working at 16 years old. Went to college, earned a degree to become a Chef. Became a Chef managing 60 cooks serving 30,000 meals a day. I have two children: 6 years old (ADHD) and a 2 year old (Speech Delay). They currently receive benifits because mommy is sick and for that, I am grateful SSA helps take care of my babies when I can no longer. In the back of my mind, I thought my boys wouldn’t receive any benefits once I pass on..
    They have a long way to go before they reach 18 years old. Would they receive any help after that age, or before that age if my condition should make a turn for the worst?
    Does SSA assist with life insurance?
    I’m only 34 and never really thought cremation or buriel costs. Want to make sure my boys won’t struggle when I’m gone.

    • Susan

      SS does not pay for life insurance, 255 and it is by application only. Your kids may get money on your work record up to age 18 should you not be around. You need to think about finding life insurance yourself now to pay for them now–a private policy as much as you can afford, but with your health it may be difficult or impossible to get.

    • Ray F.

      Thank you for contacting us Carmen. Normally, benefits for children stop when children reach age 18, unless they are disabled. However, if the child is still a full-time student at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, Social Security benefits will continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child becomes age 19, whichever is first.
      Childhood disability benefits are also payable after reaching age 18, if the disability began before age 22.

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