What the Social Security death payment is and who can receive it
When someone receiving Social Security dies, their family may be may have access to to a one-time lump-sum payment of $255. This payment goes to the surviving spouse or, if there is no spouse, to a child or children who were receiving benefits on the deceased's record at the time of death. The payment does not go to the estate and is not part of probate.
You do not have to be the person who reports the death to Social Security to receive this payment, but someone must report it within a specific timeframe. The sooner the death is reported, the sooner the agency can process the lump sum and stop any overpayments that might occur if benefits continue to be paid after death.
The $255 payment is fixed and does not vary based on how long the person received benefits or how much they were receiving each month. It is paid once per death, divided equally among all people who meet the criteria to receive it.
Key Takeaways
- The Social Security lump-sum death payment is $255 and goes only to a surviving spouse, or to children who were receiving benefits on the deceased's record.
- You must report the death to Social Security as soon as possible, ideally within one month, to prevent overpayments and start the lump-sum process.
- If a funeral home handled the arrangements, they often report the death to Social Security automatically, but you should confirm this was done.
- You can report the death by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visiting a local office, or submitting a death certificate through an online account.
- Processing the lump-sum payment typically takes two to four weeks after the death is reported, though it can take longer if documents are missing or incomplete.
How to report the death to Social Security
The person who reports the death does not have to be a family member, but it should happen as soon as possible after the death occurs. Social Security stops paying benefits the month after the person dies, but if the agency is not notified promptly, overpayments can occur and the family may have to return money.
You have three main ways to report: call Social Security's national number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), visit a local Social Security office in person, or use your online account at ssa.gov if you have one set up. When you call or visit, have the deceased's Social Security number and death date ready. If you are calling from outside the United States, use the international number listed on ssa.gov.
If a funeral home arranged the burial or cremation, ask them whether they reported the death to Social Security. Many funeral homes do this as part of their standard process, but not all do, and you should not assume it was done. Request written confirmation if possible, or call Social Security yourself to be certain.
What documents you will need to provide
Social Security will ask for a certified copy of the death certificate. This is the official document issued by the state or county where the death was registered, not a photocopy or a document from the funeral home. You can obtain certified copies from the vital records office in the county or state where the death occurred, or sometimes through the funeral home.
If you are the surviving spouse or a child claiming the lump-sum payment, you will also need to prove your relationship to the deceased. This might be a marriage certificate for a spouse, or a birth certificate for a child. If you are claiming on behalf of a child who is a minor, you may need to show guardianship documents.
Have the deceased's Social Security number available when you report the death and when you claim the payment. If you do not have it, Social Security can look it up using the person's full name and date of birth, but having the number speeds up the process.
Who qualifies to receive the lump-sum payment
The $255 payment can go to a surviving spouse of any age, as long as they were married to the deceased at the time of death. A divorced spouse may also receive the payment if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and the divorced spouse has not remarried.
Children of the deceased can receive the payment if they were receiving Social Security benefits on the deceased's record at the time of death. This includes biological children, adopted children, and stepchildren in some cases. The child does not have to be a minor — a child receiving benefits as a student or as a disabled adult also qualifies.
If there is no surviving spouse and no children receiving benefits, the payment may go to a parent of the deceased if that parent was receiving benefits on the deceased's record. In rare cases where no one meets these criteria, the payment goes to whoever paid for the funeral expenses, up to the amount of those expenses.
How to claim the lump-sum payment
If you are the surviving spouse or a child receiving benefits, you do not have to take a separate action to claim the lump sum — Social Security will process it automatically once the death is reported and verified. The agency will mail the payment to the address on file, or deposit it directly to a bank account if direct deposit is set up.
If you are claiming as a parent or as someone who paid funeral expenses, you will need to contact Social Security directly and request the payment. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. Have the death certificate and proof of your relationship or proof of funeral expenses ready.
Social Security typically processes the lump-sum payment within two to four weeks of receiving the death report and all required documents. If documents are incomplete or if there is a question about who qualifies, processing can take longer. You can call Social Security to check the status of the payment if more than four weeks have passed.
What happens to ongoing benefits after death
Any benefits paid for the month in which the person died should be returned to Social Security. If the person received a benefit payment after they died — for example, a check that arrived in the mail after death — that money must be sent back. Do not cash a check that arrives after the death date.
If the deceased was receiving benefits and had direct deposit set up, Social Security will stop the deposits once the death is reported. If a deposit goes through after the death is reported, contact Social Security to arrange repayment. The agency may deduct the overpayment from the lump-sum payment or from any benefits owed to other family members on the same record.
Family members who were receiving benefits based on the deceased's record — such as a spouse or child — will continue to receive their own benefits. The lump-sum payment is separate and does not affect ongoing family benefits.
What to do if the lump-sum payment does not arrive
If you reported the death and more than four weeks have passed without receiving the $255 payment, contact Social Security to find out what is happening. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. Have the deceased's Social Security number and the date the death was reported ready.
Common reasons for delays include missing or incomplete documents, a question about who qualifies to receive the payment, or a hold on the account due to an overpayment investigation. Social Security will tell you what is needed to move forward. If documents are missing, ask for a list of exactly what is required and the mailing address or fax number to send them to.
If you believe the payment should have been processed and Social Security cannot locate it, ask to speak with a supervisor or request that your case be escalated. Keep a record of the date you reported the death, the name of the person you spoke with at Social Security, and any reference numbers provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive the lump-sum payment if the person was not receiving Social Security benefits when they died?
No. The $255 payment is only available if the deceased was receiving Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits at the time of death. If the person had a Social Security account but was not yet receiving benefits, or had stopped receiving benefits, the lump sum is not paid.
What if multiple family members may have access to for the payment?
The $255 is divided equally among all people who meet the criteria. If a surviving spouse and two children all may have access to, each receives approximately $85. Social Security determines who qualifies and divides the payment automatically.
Do I have to report the death in person, or can someone else do it for me?
Anyone can report the death to Social Security — it does not have to be a family member. You can call, visit an office, or have someone else make the call on your behalf. However, if you are claiming the lump-sum payment yourself, you will need to provide your own identification and proof of relationship to the deceased.
How long do I have to report the death to Social Security?
There is no strict legal deadline, but you should report it as soon as possible, ideally within one month. The sooner it is reported, the sooner overpayments are stopped and the lump-sum payment can be processed. Delays in reporting can result in the family having to repay benefits paid after the death.
Will the lump-sum payment affect other benefits I receive?
The $255 lump-sum payment does not count as income for purposes of means-tested programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, or food assistance. It should not affect your other benefits, but if you receive SSI, notify your caseworker that you received the payment to be certain.