Remembering
Social Security Benefits
A one-time lump sum Death Benefit in the amount of $255 is is payable to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the beneficiary at the time of death, or if living apart, was eligible for Social Security benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record for the month of death.
If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who was eligible for benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record in the month of death.
Your funeral director will file a notification of death with the Social Security Administration in the normal course of serving you.
Call the Social Security Administration at 1 (800) 772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or visit the Social Security Administration website.
You can also download the following publications:
Survivors Benefits (Publications No. 05-10084)
Social Security: Understanding the benefits (Publication No. 05-10024)
Call Beck's (425) 771-1234