Survivors Benefits
Amount
Assistance will vary. The SSA bases survivors benefit amount on the earnings of the person who died. The more they paid into Social Security, the higher the monthly benefit.
A surviving spouse or child may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255 if they meet certain requirements.
Eligibility
Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including:
- A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if they have a disability).
- 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 has a disability and receiving child’s benefits.
- An unmarried child of the deceased who is one of the following:
- Younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if they are a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school).
- Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.
Under certain circumstances, the following family members may be eligible:
- A stepchild, grandchild, step grandchild, or adopted child.
- Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support.
To Apply
To report a death or apply for benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).