Social Security survivors benefits are paid to widows, widowers, and dependents of eligible workers. This benefit is particularly important for young families with children.
This page provides detailed information about survivors benefits and can help you understand what to expect from Social Security when you or a loved one dies.
The Basics About Survivors Benefits
Your family members may receive survivors benefits if you die. If you are working and paying into Social Security, some of those taxes you pay are for survivors benefits. Your spouse, children, and parents could be eligible for benefits based on your earnings.
You may receive survivors benefits when a family member dies. You and your family could be eligible for benefits based on the earnings of a worker who died. The deceased person must have worked long enough to qualify for benefits.
For more information, please read How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies.
Apply for Survivors Benefits
You should notify us immediately when a person dies. However, you cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online.
In most cases, the funeral home will report the person’s death to us. You should give the funeral home the deceased person’s Social Security number if you want them to make the report.
If you need to report a death or apply for benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to a Social Security representative between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can find the phone number for your local office by using our Social Security Office Locator and looking under Social Security Office Information. The toll-free “Office” number is your local office.
If you are not getting benefits
If you are not getting benefits, you should apply for survivors benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits may not be retroactive.
If you are getting benefits
If you are getting benefits on your spouse's or parent's record:
- You generally will not need to file an application for survivors benefits.
- We'll automatically change any monthly benefits you receive to survivors benefits after we receive the report of death.
- We may be able to pay the Special Lump-Sum Death Payment automatically.
If you are getting retirement or disability benefits on your own record:
- You will need to apply for the survivors benefits.
- We will check to see whether you can get a higher benefit as a widow or widower.
Documents You Need to Apply
Please select the benefit you will be applying for from the list below to see what information and documents you may need when you apply:
- Widows/Widowers or Surviving Divorced Spouse's Benefits.
- Child's Benefits.
- Mother's or Father's Benefits (You must have a child under age 16 or disabled in your care.)
- Lump-Sum Death Payment.
- Parent's Benefits (You must have been dependent on your child at the time of his or her death.)
If you don't have all the documents you need, don't delay applying for Social Security benefits.
In many cases, your local Social Security office can contact your state Bureau of Vital Statistics and verify your information online at no cost to you. If we can't verify your information online, we can still help you get the information you need.
Mailing Your Documents
If you mail any documents to us, you must include the Social Security number so that we can match them with the correct application. Do not write anything on the original documents. Please write the Social Security number on a separate sheet of paper and include it in the mailing envelope along with the documents.
Related Information
- Survivors Publications
- What You Need to Know When You Get Retirement or Survivors Benefits
- Benefits for same-sex couples
- Amount of survivors benefit
- Schedule of Social Security Payments
- Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States
- Taxes and your benefits
- Estimate other potential benefits
- my Social Security
