Social Security

The deceased is considered to be covered by Social Security if he/she paid into Social Security for at least 40 quarters. Check with your local Social Security office to determine if the deceased was eligible. If the deceased was eligible, there are two types of possible benefits.

• A death benefit of $255 toward burial expenses. You can complete the necessary form at your local Social Security office, or you can ask the funeral director to complete the application and apply the payment directly to the funeral bill. This payment is made only to eligible spouses or to a child entitled to survivor’s benefits.
• Survivor’s benefits for a spouse or children:
  • If the spouse is age 60 or older, he/she will be eligible for benefits. The amount of the benefit received prior to age 65 will be less than the benefit due at age 65 or over.
  • Disabled widows age 50 or older will be eligible for benefits.
  • The spouse of the deceased who is under 60 but who cares for dependent children under 16 or cares for disabled children may be eligible for benefits.
  • The children of the deceased who are under the age of 18 or are disabled may also be entitled to benefits.
  • When applying for Social Security benefits, you should have available birth and death certificates of the deceased, marriage certificate of the spouse, birth certificates of any dependent children, Social Security numbers, and copies of the deceased’s most recent federal income tax return.