Does Social Security Pay for Burial?
Clarify Social Security's role in supporting families after a death. This guide explains the available financial provisions and how to navigate them.
When a loved one passes away, families often face immediate financial concerns, including expenses related to the funeral and burial. Many people inquire whether Social Security provides financial assistance for these costs. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not directly pay for burial expenses, it offers a specific benefit designed to help with some of the initial financial burdens following a death.
Social Security Death Benefit Overview
The Social Security death benefit is a fixed, one-time lump-sum payment provided to qualifying survivors of a deceased worker. This payment is currently set at $255. This amount is not specifically designated for burial costs, but rather serves as general financial aid to help families manage immediate expenses following a death. The benefit’s value is not adjusted for inflation. The $255 payment remains the current standard.
Who Qualifies for the Death Benefit
Eligibility for the Social Security lump-sum death payment primarily depends on the deceased worker’s insured status and the relationship of the claimant. The deceased individual must have been either “fully insured” or “currently insured” under the Social Security system, meaning they worked and paid Social Security taxes for a sufficient number of years.
The payment is typically made to a surviving spouse who was living in the same household as the deceased at the time of death. A surviving spouse not living with the deceased may still qualify if they were receiving Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record. If there is no eligible surviving spouse, the payment can be made to a child who qualifies for benefits on the deceased’s record. This generally includes unmarried children under age 18, or under age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full-time, or any age if disabled before age 22. If multiple children are eligible, they will split the $255 payment evenly among themselves.
How to Claim the Death Benefit
Claiming the Social Security lump-sum death payment involves gathering necessary information and following specific procedural steps. Before contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA), claimants should compile essential documents. These include the deceased individual’s Social Security number and death certificate, along with the claimant’s own Social Security number. Proof of relationship, such as a marriage certificate for a spouse or a birth certificate for a child, is also required to establish eligibility.
The application for this benefit cannot be completed online; direct contact with the SSA is necessary. Claimants can initiate the process by calling the SSA’s national toll-free number or by visiting a local Social Security office. It is advisable to apply within two years of the deceased’s death, as this is the general deadline for claiming the payment. The specific form used for this application is Form SSA-8, titled “Application for Lump-Sum Death Payment.”
Once the application is submitted, the SSA will process the claim, and payment is typically issued via direct deposit to the claimant’s bank account. Claimants usually hear from the SSA within days after providing all requested documentation. This payment is not subject to federal income tax.