When a family loses a loved one, grief takes center stage. But in the background, there are practical matters that need attention, including navigating social security benefits. As a funeral professional, you’re often the first point of contact for families during this difficult time. That makes you uniquely positioned to help them understand what they’re entitled to.
This guide breaks down the key social security benefits available to survivors, how they work, and what families need to do to claim them.
What are social security survivors’ benefits?
Social security survivors’ benefits are monthly payments made to the eligible family members of a deceased worker. Think of them as a built-in financial safety net, one that the deceased paid into throughout their working life.
About 66% of survivors’ benefit recipients are widows and widowers, but eligibility extends beyond spouses. Other qualifying survivors include:
- Unmarried widows or widowers aged 60 or older
- Minor children under 18 (or under 19 if still in school full-time)
- Disabled children of any age
- Dependent parents aged 62 or older who relied on the deceased for at least half of their financial support
- Divorced spouses who were married to the worker for at least 10 years, are unmarried, and are aged 60 or older
If the surviving spouse is already receiving benefits under the deceased’s record, those benefits will automatically convert to survivors benefits once the Social Security Administration (SSA) receives the report of death. In most cases, the funeral home handles that notification.
Related CE course for funeral professionals: The Survivor’s Guide to Social Security Benefits
How much will survivors receive?
The amount a survivor receives depends on the deceased worker’s lifetime earnings. The more they paid into social security, the higher the benefit. Here’s a quick breakdown of what eligible survivors can expect:
- Widow or widower at full retirement age or older: 100% of the deceased’s benefit amount
- Widows or widowers aged 60 to full retirement age: 71.5% to 99%
- Disabled widow or widower aged 50–59: 71.5%
- Widows or widowers caring for a child under 16: 75%
- Minor child: 75%
- One surviving dependent parent aged 62+: 82.5%
- Two surviving dependent parents aged 62+: 75% each
There’s also a family maximum, which typically falls between 150% and 180% of the basic benefit. If the combined payments exceed this limit, individual benefits are reduced proportionally.
What is the lump-sum death benefit?
Separate from the monthly survivors’ benefits, social security also pays a one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255. This payment goes to the surviving spouse. If there’s no surviving spouse, it can go to a minor child.
A common misconception is that this payment goes directly to the funeral home. It doesn’t. The payment goes to the eligible beneficiary, and it can take six to eight weeks to arrive. With the average funeral costing $10,000 or more, $255 barely scratches the surface. The benefit hasn’t changed in over 80 years, even as funeral costs have risen 227% in the last three decades.
There are also circumstances where the lump-sum benefit cannot be collected, including:
- The surviving spouse was convicted of the worker’s homicide
- The worker was outside the U.S. for more than six consecutive calendar months at the time of death
- A divorced spouse is claiming (divorced spouses are not eligible for the lump-sum benefit)
Who notifies social security when someone dies?
In most cases, the funeral home notifies the SSA on behalf of the family. This is a critical step. Social security does not pay benefits for the month of death, and any payments received after the date of death must be returned.
If the deceased received benefits via direct deposit, a family member should contact the bank and request that any payments for the month of death or beyond be returned. Paper checks should not be cashed and should be sent back to the SSA promptly.
Using someone’s social security benefits after their death is a federal offense. It can result in criminal charges and court-ordered repayment.
How do families apply for survivors’ benefits?
Survivors’ benefits cannot be applied for online. Families must apply by phone or in person at their local social security office. The form needed is Form SSA-10 for survivors’ benefits, or Form SSA-8 for the lump-sum death benefit.
When applying, families should have the following documents ready:
- Birth certificate
- Death certificate for the deceased
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (if born outside the U.S.)
- W-2 forms
- U.S. military discharge papers (if applicable)
- Bank account information for direct deposit
There’s no strict time limit for applying for monthly survivors’ benefits, but it’s best to apply as soon as possible. Some benefits aren’t retroactive. The lump-sum death benefit, however, must be applied for within two years of the date of death.
What if no one is eligible for survivors’ benefits?
If there’s no surviving spouse, eligible children, or dependent parents, the benefits simply aren’t paid out. The money stays in the Social Security system. With nearly 2.9 million registered deaths per year, this accounts for a significant amount of uncollected funds.
Can a divorced spouse receive survivors’ benefits?
Yes, under certain conditions. A divorced spouse may be eligible if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, they’re unmarried, and they’re aged 60 or older. They’re entitled to the same percentage of benefits as a widow or widower. However, divorced spouses are not eligible for the lump-sum death benefit.
Can survivors still work while receiving benefits?
Yes. Survivors can continue working while receiving benefits. However, if they haven’t reached full retirement age, some benefits may be withheld. As of 2019, $1 is deducted for every $2 earned above $17,640.
How long does it take to receive survivors’ benefits?
Monthly survivors’ benefits typically begin processing after the SSA receives the death report. The lump-sum death benefit can take six to eight weeks or longer if a paper check is requested. If benefits haven’t arrived within that window, families should follow up directly with the SSA.
What if the surviving spouse is already receiving retirement benefits?
They may be able to switch to survivors’ benefits if those payments are higher. It’s worth checking, as an OIG report found that 82% of surviving widows and widowers weren’t receiving the full benefits they were entitled to.
Helping families get what they deserve
As a funeral professional, your knowledge of social security survivors’ benefits can make a real difference for grieving families. Knowing who qualifies, what to expect, and how to apply helps families access the financial support they’re entitled to—without unnecessary delays or confusion.
For more information, families can visit the SSA’s official website at www.ssa.gov, where they can estimate benefits, find their local office, and access application checklists.
