How to Claim the Social Security Death Benefit (Lump-Sum and Ongoing Survivors Benefits)

When someone who worked and paid into Social Security dies, their family may be able to receive a one-time Social Security death benefit (currently $255) and possibly ongoing monthly survivors benefits.
Both are handled by your local Social Security field office and the national Social Security Administration (SSA) phone/online systems.

What the Social Security Death Benefit Actually Is (and Who Usually Gets It)

The Social Security death benefit is a one-time lump-sum payment, most commonly $255, paid to certain survivors of a worker who was “insured” under Social Security.
Typically, it is paid to a surviving spouse who was living with the worker at the time of death, or to a child if there is no eligible spouse.

The death benefit is separate from monthly survivors benefits, which may also be available to a surviving spouse, minor or disabled children, or sometimes dependent parents.
Eligibility and amounts vary based on the worker’s earnings record, family situation, and sometimes location, so the SSA must review the specific case.

A concrete step you can take today is to call the national Social Security number or your local Social Security field office and say: “I need to report a death and ask about the lump-sum death benefit and survivors benefits.”
This phone contact usually starts the official process and gets you instructions tailored to your situation.

Key terms to know:

• Lump-sum death benefit — The one-time payment (often $255) paid after a worker’s death if certain rules are met.
• Survivors benefits — Ongoing monthly payments to eligible family members of a deceased worker.
• Insured status — Means the deceased worked and paid enough Social Security taxes to qualify their family for benefits.
• Primary insurance amount (PIA) — The base figure SSA uses to calculate many benefits, including what survivors might receive.

Where You Actually Go to Start: Official SSA Touchpoints

The death benefit and survivors benefits are handled only by the Social Security Administration, not state benefits offices, funeral homes, or private companies.
The two main official touchpoints are:

• Local Social Security field office — Handles in-person and phone appointments, takes survivors claims, reviews documents, and answers case-specific questions.
• SSA national phone line and online portal — The phone line lets you report a death and schedule appointments; the online portal is often used for checking certain eligibility details or for existing beneficiaries, but death benefit claims are usually handled by phone or in-office.

In many cases, funeral homes notify SSA of the death electronically if you give them the deceased person’s Social Security number, but this does not automatically apply for the death benefit.
Someone still usually has to contact SSA directly to ask about and claim both the lump-sum payment and any survivors benefits.

To be sure you’re talking to the real agency, search for “Social Security office locator” and use only results that end in .gov, or use the customer service number listed on the official SSA.gov site.
Never give your Social Security number or banking details to any site or caller that is not clearly part of the official .gov system.

What to Gather Before You Contact Social Security

SSA often accepts claims even if you don’t have every single document on day one, but having more ready can speed things up.
You can start collecting these now, even before you call.

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Proof of death — Often a death certificate; sometimes SSA initially accepts a statement from a funeral director if submitted on the appropriate form.
• Proof of relationship — For example, a marriage certificate for a surviving spouse or birth certificates for children.
• Social Security numbers — For the deceased worker and all potential beneficiaries (spouse, children, etc.).

SSA may also commonly ask for:

• Proof of age (such as a birth certificate) for the survivor applying for benefits.
• Bank account information (routing and account number) if you want direct deposit.
• Immigration or citizenship documents, if relevant, for certain survivors.

If you can’t find an original certificate, SSA staff will usually tell you what substitutes they might accept or how to request duplicates from vital records offices.
You typically do not need to pay any fee to SSA itself to file for the death benefit, though there may be small fees from state vital records offices for duplicate certificates.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim the Death Benefit and Survivors Benefits

Below is a typical real-world sequence for many families; the exact process can vary slightly depending on where you live and your specific situation.

1. Confirm whether the death has been reported to SSA.
   Ask the funeral home if they are sending a death report to Social Security; if not, or if you’re unsure, call the SSA national number or your local field office and say you need to report a death.

2. Report the death to SSA.
   When you contact SSA, be prepared to provide the deceased person’s full name, Social Security number, date of birth, date of death, and your relationship to them; this usually allows SSA to update their records and stop the deceased person’s benefits.

3. Ask specifically about the lump-sum death benefit.
   During the same call, say clearly: “I’d like to file for the one-time lump-sum death benefit and any survivors benefits I might qualify for.”
   The SSA representative will usually screen you to see if you appear to meet the relationship and living arrangement rules.

4. Schedule an appointment if needed.
   Many survivors claims, including for the death benefit, are taken by phone appointment or in person at a Social Security field office, depending on your area and complexity; the representative will give you a date and time and tell you what documents to bring or have ready.

5. Gather and organize your documents.
   Before your appointment, collect proof of death, proof of relationship, and Social Security numbers as listed above; place them in a folder, and write down key dates (marriage date, children’s birthdates, divorce dates if any) to answer questions quickly.

6. Complete the claim during your appointment.
   An SSA claims specialist will usually enter your answers into their system while asking questions about the deceased’s work history, your relationship, children in the home, and any prior marriages; you might be asked to sign forms electronically or on paper.

7. What to expect next after filing.
   After the claim is taken, SSA typically reviews the earnings record and eligibility, then sends you a written decision notice by mail; if approved, the $255 death benefit is usually paid via check or direct deposit, and any ongoing survivors benefits start on a future monthly payment schedule.
   Processing times vary and can be affected by how quickly you provide any additional documents SSA requests.

A simple phone script you can use when calling:
“I’m calling to report a death and to ask about applying for the Social Security lump-sum death benefit and any survivors benefits. Can you tell me what I need to do and what documents to prepare?”

Real-World Friction to Watch For

Real-world friction to watch for
A common snag is missing or delayed proof of death or relationship documents, which can slow down payment of the death benefit or survivors benefits. If you don’t yet have a death certificate or marriage certificate, still contact SSA, explain what you’re missing, and ask what they can start with now and how to submit the documents as soon as you receive them from the funeral home or vital records office.

What Happens After You File, and Where to Get Legitimate Help

Once SSA has your claim, they typically verify three things behind the scenes: the deceased worker’s insured status, your relationship and eligibility, and whether anyone else has a higher priority claim (for example, a spouse versus an adult child).
You might receive follow-up letters or calls asking for additional documents or clarifications, such as confirming past marriages, dependency of children, or bank account details for direct deposit.

You will usually receive a formal notice in the mail explaining whether the lump-sum death benefit is approved, the amount, and, if applicable, any monthly survivors benefit amount and the month payments will begin.
If you disagree with the decision, the notice typically explains how to appeal within a certain timeframe, often by submitting a reconsideration request.

Because the death benefit and survivors benefits involve money and personal information, scammers sometimes pose as SSA.
To protect yourself:

• Only call numbers listed on official .gov websites or SSA letters.
• Never pay a fee to “speed up” a Social Security payment — SSA does not charge for claims.
• Do not share your full Social Security number or banking info with anyone who contacted you unexpectedly by phone, text, or email claiming to be from SSA.

If you’re stuck, these legitimate help options can often assist:

• Local Social Security field office staff — They can walk you through documents, deadlines, and if you need an appointment; use the official office locator online to find the correct number.
• Legal aid or elder law clinics — Some nonprofit legal aid groups help with Social Security issues, especially disputes or appeals, for free or low cost; search for “legal aid Social Security survivors benefits” with your state’s name.
• Area Agency on Aging or senior centers — Often have staff or volunteers familiar with SSA processes who can help older survivors prepare documents or understand notices.

Once you have reported the death, scheduled any needed appointment, and started collecting your key documents, you are in position to complete the death benefit and survivors claim through SSA’s official channels.
Your next concrete move is to contact SSA directly today and confirm exactly what they need from you for your specific situation.