After a death · Social Security

Social Security Survivor Benefits After a Death

When a loved one passes, Social Security needs to know. Some family members may qualify for survivor benefits based on the person’s work record and their relationship to them. Not every family qualifies, and the rules depend on the circumstances.

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Facts on this page last checked September 28, 2026.

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If someone just died, you usually don’t need to work out survivor benefits on your own. Make sure the death has been reported to Social Security, then ask what benefits may apply. Social Security decides who qualifies.

Death reported to Social Security
Check possible benefits
Apply
Social Security decides

Social Security does not pay benefits for the month a person dies. Benefits are paid a month behind, so the payment that arrives the next month must be returned. For example, if the person died in July, return the payment that arrives in August.

If it was a paper check, don’t cash it.
If it was direct deposit, contact the bank and ask it to return the payment.

Whoever is handling the family’s finances or the estate may need to take care of this. See estate and probate basics.

Funeral homes generally tell Social Security when someone dies, so families don’t usually need to report it themselves. It helps to give the funeral home the person’s Social Security number.

If no funeral home is involved, call Social Security with the person’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death. Even if a funeral home reported the death, call Social Security yourself to ask about survivor benefits.

Social Security: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. in most U.S. time zones. You can also visit a local office: find an office.

Who may qualify for survivor benefits?

Survivor benefits are monthly payments to eligible family members of someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes. Being in one of these groups doesn’t guarantee eligibility.

Surviving spouse

A surviving spouse may qualify if they:

Are 60 or older, or 50–59 with a disability, and
Were married at least 9 months before the death, and
Didn’t remarry before 60 (50 with a disability)

Some spouses qualify regardless of age or length of marriage, for example when caring for the child of the person who died. A spouse already getting spouse benefits can often be switched to survivor benefits once the death is reported.

Children

Unmarried children may qualify if they are:

17 or younger, or
18–19 and in school (K–12) full time, or
Any age, with a disability that began at 21 or younger

Stepchildren, adopted children, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren may qualify in some cases. There may be a limit on the total a family can receive on one person’s record.

Divorced spouse

A former spouse may qualify in some cases. Generally the marriage must have lasted at least 10 years, and age and remarriage rules similar to a surviving spouse’s apply.

Dependent parents

A parent may qualify if they’re 62 or older and were financially supported by the child who died. Other requirements apply.

Not sure? Ask Social Security to review your situation.

The $255 lump-sum death payment

A one-time payment of $255, separate from monthly survivor benefits. Not every family receives it.

A surviving spouse may be eligible. A spouse who didn’t live in the same home may qualify if they can get benefits on the person’s record.
If there’s no spouse, some children may be eligible, under the same age, school, or disability rules as survivor benefits.
Apply within 2 years of the death if the eligible spouse or child isn’t already receiving benefits on the person’s record. You can apply online through a my Social Security account, or by calling and saying you want to apply for the lump-sum death payment.

How to apply for survivor benefits

Make sure the death was reported
Usually by the funeral home.
Gather what you have
The person’s full legal name, Social Security number, dates of birth and death; your own information; marriage, divorce, or children’s information if relevant; bank information for payment; a death certificate if Social Security asks for one.
Contact Social Security
Monthly survivor benefits are applied for by phone or at a Social Security office. You can ask about the lump sum in the same call.
Ask which benefits may apply, and complete any application
Don’t wait if you don’t have every document. Social Security says it will help you get what you need.
Keep notes
Who you spoke with and what they asked for.

If you ask one question

“Which Social Security survivor benefits might apply to our family, and what information do you need from us?”

Things not to assume

A payment arriving after a death doesn’t mean the family should keep it.
Being a spouse, child, or former spouse doesn’t automatically mean someone qualifies.
Survivor benefits are different from life insurance. See insurance and benefits after a death.
The person handling the funeral isn’t necessarily the person handling the estate.

A funeral home may report the death and help with related paperwork. Social Security alone decides who qualifies and how much they receive.

Common questions

Does Social Security stop when someone dies?

Yes. Social Security pays benefits a month behind, so no payment is due for the month of death. For example, if the person died in July, the payment that arrives in August must be returned.

Does a surviving spouse automatically get Social Security?

Not automatically. Age, length of marriage, remarriage, and other rules apply. Social Security decides.

Can children receive benefits after a parent dies?

Some can, generally if they’re unmarried and 17 or younger, 18–19 and in K–12 full time, or have a disability that began at 21 or younger.

Can a divorced spouse receive survivor benefits?

In some cases, generally if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and other rules are met.

What is the $255 death payment?

A one-time payment to an eligible spouse, or to certain children if there’s no spouse. Apply within 2 years of the death.

How do I apply for survivor benefits?

By phone at 1-800-772-1213 or at a Social Security office.

Ready to see how these choices apply to your situation?

Your Wayfinder Plan can help organize the options you’re considering and give you a clearer picture of what to ask and compare.

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Sources

Reporting a death, phone numbers and hours: SSA, What to do when someone dies.
Lump-sum death payment and the 2-year deadline: SSA, Lump-sum death payment.
Who can get survivor benefits: SSA, Who can get survivor benefits; SSA, Survivor benefits.
How to apply: SSA, Survivors Benefits (Publication 05-10084).
Returning the payment for the month of death: SSA, If you are the survivor; USAGov, Report the death of a Social Security beneficiary.
Switching spouse benefits to survivor benefits: SSA-721, Statement of Death by Funeral Director.

This page is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Social Security decides eligibility and benefit amounts, and rules can change.

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