| The following checklist is designed to help you
file for your Social Security benefits correctly so that prompt
payments may be made.
Eligibility
The deceased worker must have credit for work covered by Social
Security, ranging from 1 1/2 to 10 years depending on his or her
age at death.
Who may receive monthly benefits
- A widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled), or at any
age if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled.
- A divorced widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled)
if the marriage lasted 10 years, or if caring for an entitled
child who is under 16 or disabled.
- Unmarried children up to 18 (19 if they are attending a primary
or secondary school full time).
- Children who were disabled before reaching 22, as long as they
remained disabled.
- Dependent parent or parents 62 or older.
Lump-sum death payment
A one-time payment of $255 is paid in addition to the monthly cash
benefits described above. The lump-sum death payment (LSDP) is paid
in the following priority order:
- A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as the deceased
person at the time of death.
- A surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits for
the month of death.
- A child or children eligible for or entitled to benefits for
the month of death.
Applying for benefits
You must apply in order to receive benefits. You may apply at any
Social Security office or, if you wish, you may apply by telephone.
Just dial the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 and the operator will
schedule an appointment for you or arrange for the local Social
Security office to take your claim by telephone.
Social security teleservice - doing business by telephone
You may call Social Security toll-free, 365 days a year, 24 hours
a day. The number to use is 1-800-772-1213. To speak with a representative,
call between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm on regular business
days. At other times and on weekends and holidays, you may leave
a message and they will call you back, in most cases, the next business
day.
You may use the toll-free number to make an appointment either
in a Social Security office or telephone to apply for benefits,
transact other Social Security business, or just ask questions.
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