Social Security Benefits

Social Security Benefits

Are you a survivor of someone who was receiving Social Security benefits? If so, you or another family member may qualify for monthly survivors benefits. As the survivor, if you are the spouse, child or parent of someone who has worked long enough under the Social Security Administration you may qualify to receive certain benefits.

What Are Social Security Death Benefits?

Social Security Death Benefits are paid to widows, widowers, and dependents of a deceased eligible worker. This benefit, meant to assist with a family’s financial burden of losing the lost loved one’s income, is particularly important for young families with children.

Monthly benefit amounts are based on the earnings of the person who died. The more they paid into Social Security, the higher your benefits would be. This amount is a percentage of the deceased’s basic Social Security benefit.



Additionally, a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she is living with the deceased; or if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record. When there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who is eligible for benefits

Who Qualifies For Benefits?

• A widow or widower age 60 or older
• A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances
• A widow or widower at any age who is caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving child’s benefits
• An unmarried child of the deceased who is one of the following:
• Younger than age 18 (up to age 19) if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school).
• Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.

What Steps Should Survivor’s Take?

In most cases, the funeral home will report the person’s death, however, if not, a surviving family member should notify the Social Security Administration as soon as possible following the date of death. Deaths cannot be reported online, and benefits can not be applied for online.

How Do I Contact The Social Security Administration?

If you need to report a death or apply for benefits, or have questions about qualifying to receive survivor’s benefits, call 1-800-772-1213.

Additional information is available online at ssa.gov/benefits/survivors.

Veterans Benefits

What Are VA Burial Benefits And Memorial Items?

The VA burial benefits are designed to assist service members, veterans, and their families plan and pay for a burial or memorial service in a VA national cemetery. Memorial items are provided through the Veterans Affairs to honor the service of those who have served the country.

Who Qualifies For Burial Benefits And Burial In A National Cemetery?

Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, as well as other benefits, if they meet one of the requirements listed below:



• A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge
  
• A service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training
  
• The spouse or minor child of a veteran, even if the veteran died first
  
• In some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran
  

What Are Military Funeral Honors And A Committal Service?

Military funeral honors include the playing of “Taps,” a rifle detail, a color guard and uniformed service members who properly fold and present the United States flag to the grieving family. These flags are typically given to the deceased’s next of kin or close friend.In order for the survivors to qualify to receive the burial flag, the veteran or reservist must be described by at least one of the following:

• Served in wartime
  
• Died while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941
  
• Served after January 31, 1955
  
• Served in peacetime and left military service before June 27, 1950, after serving at least one enlistment or because of a disability that was caused - or made worse - by their active military service
  
• Served in the Selected Reserves, or served in the military forces of the Philippines while in service of the United States and died on or after April 25, 1951.
  

What Are Burial Benefits And How Do I Apply?