Does Social Security Pay for a Funeral?
Get clarity on Social Security's benefits for bereaved families, detailing financial aid and ongoing support options.
Social Security does not directly pay for funeral services. Instead, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a modest, one-time lump-sum death benefit and various ongoing monthly survivor benefits. These provisions are designed to provide financial support to eligible family members, helping them manage expenses after a loved one’s passing.
Lump-Sum Death Benefit
The Social Security Administration provides a one-time Lump-Sum Death Payment (LSDP) to eligible individuals. This payment is a fixed amount, currently set at $255. It is not intended to cover the full cost of funeral arrangements.
Eligibility for this benefit is specific and limited. The payment is typically made to a surviving spouse if they were living with the deceased at the time of death. If there is no surviving spouse, or if they were not living with the deceased, the payment may be made to a surviving spouse who is eligible for benefits on the deceased’s record.
If there is no eligible surviving spouse, the LSDP can be paid to a child or children who are eligible for benefits on the deceased’s record. This benefit is disbursed only once per deceased worker’s record.
Other Survivor Benefits
Beyond the one-time death payment, Social Security provides ongoing monthly survivor benefits to certain family members of a deceased worker. These benefits aim to replace a portion of the deceased’s earnings, providing financial stability for the family. The specific amount of these monthly benefits depends on the deceased’s average lifetime earnings and the relationship of the survivor to the deceased.
Eligible widows and widowers may receive benefits based on their age, whether they are caring for the deceased’s entitled child, or if they are disabled. A surviving spouse can begin receiving benefits as early as age 60, or age 50 if they are disabled, provided the marriage lasted at least nine months. Benefits can also be paid to a surviving divorced spouse under similar conditions.
Children of the deceased worker are also eligible for benefits if they are unmarried and under age 18, or under age 19 if attending high school full-time. Disabled children may receive benefits at any age if their disability began before age 22. Dependent parents who were receiving at least half of their support from the deceased may be eligible for benefits.
Applying for Benefits
Applying for Social Security benefits after a death requires gathering specific information and documentation. Before contacting the Social Security Administration, it is beneficial to collect the deceased’s Social Security number, their birth certificate, and any relevant marriage or divorce certificates.
Information about the deceased’s military service, if applicable, along with W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for the previous year, can also be helpful. Bank account information, including the routing and account numbers, will be needed for direct deposit of any approved benefits. It is also necessary to have the death certificate ready, as the SSA will require verification of the death. Having these documents on hand helps ensure a smoother application.
To report a death and apply for benefits, it is generally recommended to call the Social Security Administration directly or visit a local Social Security office. The application for the lump-sum death benefit is usually part of the overall application for survivor benefits, if applicable. After the application is submitted, the SSA will process the claim and notify the applicant of their decision.