Social Security Benefits

Note: Collins Funeral Home will send a formal notification to the Social Security Department. You DO NOT need to send a certified copy of the death certificate to them.

Eligibility

The deceased worker must have credit for work covered by Social Security, ranging from 1 1/2 to 10 years depending on his or her age at death. Those who may receive monthly benefits are:

A widow or widower age 60 (50 if disabled) or older or at any age if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled
A divorced widow or widower age 60 (50 if disabled) or older if the marriage lasted 10 years or if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled
Unmarried children up to 18 (19 if they are attending a primary or secondary school full-time)
Children who were disabled before reaching 22, as long as they remained disabled
Dependent parent or parents 62 or older

Lump-Sum Death Payment

A one-time payment of $255 is paid in addition to the monthly cash benefits described above. The lump-sum death payment (LSDP) is paid in the following priority order:

A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as the deceased person at the time of death
A surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death
A child or children eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death

Applying for Benefits

You must apply in order to receive benefits. You may apply at any Social Security office or, if you wish, you may apply by telephone. Just dial the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213, and the operator will schedule an appointment for you or arrange for the local Social Security office to take your claim by telephone.

You may call Social Security toll-free, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The number to use is (800) 772-1213. To speak with a representative, call between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm on regular business days. At other times and on weekends and holidays, you may leave a message, and they will call you back, in most cases, the next business day.

Information Needed

Your Social Security number and the deceased worker s Social Security number.
A death certificate. (Generally, the funeral director provides a statement that can be used for this purpose.
Proof of the deceased worker’s earnings for last year (W-2 forms or self-employment tax return).
Your birth certificate.
A marriage certificate, if you are applying for benefits as a widow, widower, divorced wife, or divorced husband.
A divorce decree, if you are applying for benefits as a divorced wife or husband.
Children s birth certificates and Social Security numbers, if applying for children s benefits.
Your checking or savings account information, if you want direct deposit of your benefits.
You will need to submit original documents or copies certified by the issuing office.

You can mail or bring them to the Social Security office. They will make photocopies and return your documents.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

If you are 65 or older, disabled, or blind, ask the Social Security representative about supplemental security Income (SSI) checks for people with limited income and resources. If you receive SSI, you may also qualify for Medicaid, food stamps, and other social services.

You may use the toll-free number to make an appointment either in a Social Security office or telephone to apply for benefits, transact other Social Security business, or just ask questions. Call (800) 772-1213. You can speak to a representative weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.


		Social Security Benefits *Note: Collins Funeral Home will send a formal notification to the Social Security Department. You DO NOT need to send a certified copy of the death certificate to them.* Eligibility The deceased worker must have credit for work covered by Social Security, ranging from 1 1/2 to 10 years depending on his or her age at death. Those who may receive monthly benefits are: A widow or widower age 60 (50 if disabled) or older or at any age if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled A divorced widow or widower age 60 (50 if disabled) or older if the marriage lasted 10 years or if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled Unmarried children up to 18 (19 if they are attending a primary or secondary school full-time) Children who were disabled before reaching 22, as long as they remained disabled Dependent parent or parents 62 or older Lump-Sum Death Payment A one-time payment of $255 is paid in addition to the monthly cash benefits described above. The lump-sum death payment (LSDP) is paid in the following priority order: A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as the deceased person at the time of death A surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death A child or children eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death Applying for Benefits You must apply in order to receive benefits. You may apply at any Social Security office or, if you wish, you may apply by telephone. Just dial the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213, and the operator will schedule an appointment for you or arrange for the local Social Security office to take your claim by telephone. You may call Social Security toll-free, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The number to use is (800) 772-1213. To speak with a representative, call between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm on regular business days. At other times and on weekends and holidays, you may leave a message, and they will call you back, in most cases, the next business day. Information Needed Your Social Security number and the deceased worker s Social Security number. A death certificate. (Generally, the funeral director provides a statement that can be used for this purpose. Proof of the deceased worker’s earnings for last year (W-2 forms or self-employment tax return). Your birth certificate. A marriage certificate, if you are applying for benefits as a widow, widower, divorced wife, or divorced husband. A divorce decree, if you are applying for benefits as a divorced wife or husband. Children s birth certificates and Social Security numbers, if applying for children s benefits. Your checking or savings account information, if you want direct deposit of your benefits. You will need to submit original documents or copies certified by the issuing office. You can mail or bring them to the Social Security office. They will make photocopies and return your documents. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) If you are 65 or older, disabled, or blind, ask the Social Security representative about supplemental security Income (SSI) checks for people with limited income and resources. If you receive SSI, you may also qualify for Medicaid, food stamps, and other social services. You may use the toll-free number to make an appointment either in a Social Security office or telephone to apply for benefits, transact other Social Security business, or just ask questions. Call (800) 772-1213. You can speak to a representative weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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