Who qualifies for the $255 social security death benefits?

When a Social Security-insured worker dies, close family members of the deceased worker may be eligible to claim various benefits from Social Security. One of these benefits is the one-time lump sum payment of $255, a separate benefit from survivor benefits.

Only the surviving spouse or child of the deceased worker can collect the $255 death benefit. Social Security gives priority to the surviving spouse who was living with the deceased worker at the time of death, or living apart but receiving family benefits on the deceased’s earnings record. In the absence of a qualifying surviving spouse, a child of the deceased worker receives the death benefit if he/she receives or qualifies to receive survivor benefits on the deceased worker’s earnings record.

What is the lump-sum death benefit?

The Lump-sum death benefit is a federally-funded benefit that is managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSA makes a lump-sum death benefit of $255 to the surviving spouse or eligible dependent children of the deceased.

If a spouse or child was already receiving family benefits on the deceased worker’s earnings record, Social Security will automatically pay the death benefit when the death is reported. If no family member was receiving benefits before the death occurred, the eligible survivor must apply for the death benefit.

History of the Lump Sum Death Benefit

The lump-sum death benefit was included in the original Social Security Act of 1935, and it was paid to the surviving family members of workers who died before the full retirement age of 65. It was paid to families who would have paid Social Security taxes but received no benefits.

When the Social Security Act was amended in 1939 to include monthly Social Security benefits, the amendment retained a limited death benefit that was only paid to surviving family members who would not qualify for benefits based on the deceased worker's earnings history. The benefit was paid to a family member or individual who incurred the funeral costs of the deceased worker, and it equaled six times the primary insurance amount (PIA).

A 1950 amendment expanded eligibility to survivors who received monthly benefits, meaning that the benefit was now paid for every death of a Social Security-insured worker. The payment formula was also reduced from six times to three times the PIA. In 1954, the death benefit was capped at $255. By 1974, the minimum PIA has reached $85, meaning the lowest death benefit was $255. Since 1982, all lump-sum death benefits have equaled $255 to date, and this means the inflation-adjusted value of this benefit has declined over the years.

Who receives the Social Security death benefit?

Surviving spouse

If the spouse was living with the Social Security-insured worker at the time of death, they will receive the lump sum death benefit.

If the spouse and the deceased worker were living apart, and the spouse was receiving benefits based on the worker’s earnings record, he/she can still receive the lump-sum benefit.

If the spouse and the worker were living apart but the spouse became eligible for survivor benefits upon the worker’s death, he/she will still receive the lump sum benefit.

Son/daughter

In the absence of a qualifying widow or widower, the lump-sum death benefit will be paid to an eligible child (or children) who receives or is eligible to receive survivor benefits on the deceased parent’s earnings record. If there is more than one eligible child, the death benefit will be split equally among them.

To qualify, a child must be unmarried and either a minor below 18, or age 19 if they are a full-time elementary or high school student. Also, a disabled offspring who became disabled before 22 may be eligible to receive the death benefit.

How to apply for the death benefit?

The qualifying surviving spouse or child must apply for the death benefit within two years of the beneficiary’s death.

You can apply for the death benefit by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or by visiting the local Social Security office in your area. If you opt to visit the local Social Security office, call in advance to book an appointment to avoid long waits.

What documents do you need to apply for the death benefit?

You will need to provide certain documents when applying for the death benefit. Some of the documents you may need to provide include a birth certificate (or other proof of birth), proof of US citizenship or alien status, US military papers (if you served before 1968), W-2 forms/self-employment tax returns for the past year, and a death certificate of the deceased worker.

You must provide the original documents or copies certified by the issuing authority. However, you may be allowed to provide photocopies of the military papers and tax forms.

What questions will Social Security ask?

When you apply for the lump-sum death benefit, you should be ready to answer certain questions related to the deceased worker. Here are some of the questions you can expect:

Your name and Social Security number

The deceased worker’s name, date of birth, and Social Security Number

Did the deceased ever claim Social Security benefits or Medicare? On whose earning’s record did they apply for benefits?

Was the deceased worker unable to work due to an injury, illness, or other disabling condition in the 14 months before death occurred? If yes, when.

Did the deceased worker have any military service? If yes, provide the dates of his/her service.

Did the deceased worker earn any Social Security credits under a foreign Social Security system?

How much did the deceased worker earn in the year of death and the preceding year?

Was the deceased worker married? If yes, did the deceased worker and the surviving spouse live together at the time of death?

Names, ages, and Social Security Numbers of the deceased worker’s former spouses, dates of marriage, and when and how the marriage ended.

Names of the deceased worker’s unmarried and minor children under 18, 18 to 19 in elementary or high school, or disabled before age 22.

Did the deceased worker have a dependent parent (received ½ of support) at the time of death?