How do I apply for survivor benefits from Social Security?
When someone who is receiving Social Security payments dies, the surviving spouse is eligible for “survivor” benefits. Apply for those benefits as quickly as possible. You ll need a copy of the deceased s death certificate and evidence of your relationship, marital situation and age. In addition to monthly checks, the Social Security Administration will give you a one-time $255 payment to help meet burial or other expenses. Survivor benefits are also available to minor children when a parent dies, even if the parent wasn t old enough to collect Social Security retirement benefits. These monthly payments can be quite substantial, subject to the maximum allowable earnings limit prior to taxation, and are a good source of cash to meet the child s living expenses and savings for college.
