Social Security
Your spouse is considered covered by Social Security if he or she paid in to Social Security for at least 40 quarters. Check with your local Social Security office or call 800-772-1213 to determine if he or she was eligible.
Tip: If the deceased was already receiving benefits, do not deposit any checks received after death before checking with Social Security.
If your spouse was eligible, there are two additional types of possible benefits: (1) a death benefit and (2) survivor's benefits.
One-Time Death Benefit. Social Security pays a one-time death benefit toward burial expenses. Complete the necessary form at your local Social Security office or ask the funeral director to complete the application and apply the payment directly to the funeral bill. This payment is made only to eligible spouses or to a child entitled to survivor's benefits.
Survivor's Benefits for a Spouse or Children. If you are age 60 or older, you may be eligible for survivor's benefits. The amount of any benefits for which you will be eligible before age 65 will be less than any benefits due at age 65 or over. If you are under age 60, you may also be eligible for benefits if:
- You are a disabled widow, age 50 or older,
- You care for dependent children under 16 or disabled children.
Note: Children who are under age 18 or are disabled may also be entitled to benefits.
Tip: When applying for Social Security benefits, have available your spouse's birth and death certificates, your marriage certificate, birth certificates of any dependent children, Social Security numbers, and copies of your spouse's most recent federal income tax return.
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