Family Survivor Benefits: How to Claim Support After a Loved One Dies

Family survivor benefits are monthly payments and sometimes lump-sum payments that may be available to a spouse, children, or other dependents after a worker dies, usually through Social Security or Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are meant to replace some of the income the person provided and can help with ongoing bills and basic living costs.

In the United States, Social Security survivor benefits are handled by your local Social Security field office, and VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and related survivor benefits are handled by your regional Department of Veterans Affairs office. Rules, amounts, and eligibility can vary based on your location, the worker’s history, and your family situation, so always confirm details with the official agency.

1. What Family Survivor Benefits Usually Cover (and Who Handles Them)

Family survivor benefits typically fall into two main systems:

  • Social Security survivor benefits for families of workers who paid into Social Security.
  • VA survivor benefits (like DIC) for families of certain deceased veterans or service members.

Social Security survivor benefits can go to:

  • A widow or widower, sometimes as early as age 60 (or 50 if disabled), or at any age if caring for the deceased’s child under 16 or disabled.
  • Children who are unmarried and under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school), or certain disabled adult children.
  • In some cases, a dependent parent age 62 or older.

VA survivor benefits can go to:

  • A surviving spouse of a veteran or service member who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected condition (with some exceptions).
  • Dependent children of the deceased veteran.
  • In limited cases, dependent parents.

Key terms to know:

  • Primary earner — The deceased worker or veteran whose income the family depended on and whose record benefits are based on.
  • Surviving spouse — The legal husband or wife at the time of death; for some benefits, former spouses may qualify under certain conditions.
  • Survivor benefit — Ongoing payments to family members based on the deceased person’s work or military service.
  • Lump-sum death payment — A one-time payment (for example, Social Security’s common $255 death benefit) that may go to a surviving spouse or child.

Your first “system touchpoints” for survivor benefits are usually the Social Security field office and, if the person was a veteran, the nearest VA regional office or VA benefits helpline.

2. Where to Start Officially (First Calls and Portals)

To get survivor benefits started, you typically must contact the official agency directly; they generally do not start automatically.

For Social Security survivor benefits:

  • You cannot usually apply for survivor benefits online. You typically must call your local Social Security field office or the national Social Security phone line to start a claim, or make an appointment to visit in person.
  • Funeral homes often report deaths to Social Security, but this does not start survivor benefits; it only stops the deceased person’s checks.

For VA survivor benefits:

  • Surviving family can typically apply online through the official VA benefits portal, by mail using VA forms, or in person at a VA regional benefits office.
  • Many survivors work with a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) through a veterans service organization or county veterans office to help complete the claim.

When searching online, look for .gov websites and official phone numbers only, and avoid private sites that charge fees to “file for you.” Applying for Social Security or VA survivor benefits is free through government offices.

3. What to Gather Before You Contact Social Security or VA

Having key documents ready can speed things up and reduce back-and-forth.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Death certificate — Certified copy from the state, county, or local vital records office.
  • Proof of relationship — Such as a marriage certificate for a spouse or birth certificates for children.
  • Earnings/service records — The deceased person’s Social Security number, and for veterans, DD-214 or other military discharge papers.

You may also be asked for:

  • Your own photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport).
  • Bank account and routing number for direct deposit of any benefits.
  • Immigration or citizenship documents, if you or the deceased were not U.S. citizens at birth.
  • School attendance verification if a child over 18 is still in high school.
  • Medical records if applying as a disabled adult child or disabled surviving spouse.

If you do not have some of these documents, you can usually still start your claim; the agency may help you figure out how to get replacements, or they may request them later before making a final decision.

4. Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Family Survivor Benefits

4.1 Social Security Survivor Benefits

  1. Confirm the deceased’s Social Security coverage.
    Check any Social Security statements, tax forms (like W-2s), or pay stubs to confirm they worked and paid Social Security taxes; you’ll need their Social Security number.

  2. Call your local Social Security field office or the national line.
    Explain: “I’m calling to apply for survivor benefits as a [spouse/child/parent] of someone who has died.” Ask if you need a phone appointment or in-person visit and note any deadlines they mention, especially around the month-of-death payment.

  3. Gather and organize documents.
    Place death certificate, marriage/birth certificates, Social Security numbers, and bank info together; make a list of any documents you’re missing so you can ask how to replace them.

  4. Attend your appointment and complete the claim.
    During the call or visit, a claims representative will ask questions about your relationship, family members, and income; they will enter your information into their system and usually give you a claim number or reference number.

  5. What to expect next.
    Social Security typically reviews your eligibility and may send follow-up letters asking for additional proof or clarifications; once a decision is made, you commonly receive a written decision notice by mail explaining approval or denial and the monthly benefit amount if approved.

4.2 VA Survivor Benefits (If the Deceased Was a Veteran)

  1. Confirm military service information.
    Locate the veteran’s DD-214 or discharge papers, Social Security number, and VA claim number (if they had any VA disability rating or prior claims).

  2. Choose how to file: online, mail, or in person.
    You can typically file online through the VA’s official benefits portal, mail completed VA forms to the address listed on the form instructions, or visit a VA regional benefits office; many people work with a VA-accredited VSO at a county veterans office for free help.

  3. Submit your survivor claim and keep copies.
    Provide the death certificate, marriage/birth certificates, and any medical evidence showing the death was related to service-connected conditions if relevant; keep copies of everything and note the date you submitted.

  4. What to expect next.
    The VA usually sends a confirmation letter or online message that your claim was received, then may request additional medical or service records; later, you receive a rating/decision letter by mail explaining whether you qualify and the amount and start date of any benefits.

5. Real-World Friction to Watch For

Real-world friction to watch for

One common delay occurs when survivors do not have key documents—especially the death certificate or DD-214 for veterans—ready at the time of application, which can stall processing until those records are provided or located. To reduce delays, ask the Social Security field office or VA office which applications you can open now with partial information, and which records they can help retrieve directly from vital records or military archives instead of you trying to track them down alone.

6. Getting Legitimate Help and Avoiding Scams

Because survivor benefits involve money and identity information, scam prevention is critical. Government agencies do not charge fees to apply for Social Security or VA survivor benefits, and they do not ask for payment in gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Safe ways to get help include:

  • Social Security field office staff — They can explain forms, deadlines, and eligibility rules and help you start or update a claim.
  • VA regional office staff or VA call center — They can explain VA survivor benefit types, required forms, and how to check your claim status.
  • VA-accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) — Often available through local veterans organizations or county veterans offices, they help survivors prepare and submit VA claims for free.
  • Legal aid or nonprofit elder law programs — Especially useful if there are questions about marriage validity, guardianship of children, or disputes among potential beneficiaries.
  • State or county social services agencies — They may not run survivor benefits, but they often connect families to emergency assistance, food help, or counseling while you wait for a benefit decision.

When calling any office, a simple script can help you start: “I recently lost a family member who worked/served, and I need to find out if I can receive survivor benefits and how to apply. Can you tell me what documents you need and how to start the process?”

Search online for your state or city plus phrases like “Social Security field office” or “VA regional office” and use only contact information from .gov websites. Once you have made that first official contact and know which benefits you may qualify for, your next step is to follow the specific document and form checklist the agency gives you and respond quickly to any follow-up requests so your claim can move forward.