The loss of a family member can be devastating, both emotionally and financially. Social Security is meant to be a survivor program as well as a retirement program. Most of the people are conscious of Social Security retirement benefits, and some may even be aware that Social Security has disability benefits, but are you aware that there are Social Security death benefits too? In this article we'll discuss the one-time lump sum death benefit, monthly survivor benefits, who qualifies for survivor benefits, and how to apply for benefits when a family member dies.

One-Time Death Benefit:

You may receive a one-time payment of $255 when a family member dies, depending on your relationship to them and how long they've worked. Usually, only surviving spouses and kids of deceased workers qualify for the one-time death benefit. Furthermore, the deceased family member should have worked long enough to be insured under Social Security, but it does not matter if they were already collecting Social Security or not.

The Death benefit payment is made to the surviving spouse living with the deceased person at the time he/she passed, or if there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child of the deceased person. Spouses who're not living together when one spouse dies might still receive the death benefit if they were eligible for benefits on the dead spouse's earnings in the month the spouse passed. If there is no surviving spouse or child who qualifies for the payment, therefore no payment will be made.

This is a one-time, lump sum benefit; however some survivors may qualify for a monthly benefit in addition to the one-time death benefit.

Monthly Survivor Benefits:

Besides the one-time payment, some family members may receive a per month benefit for a deceased person. Widows, widowers, kids and dependent parents may qualify for per month survivor benefits. In some cases, even divorced widows and widowers may qualify to receive benefits when their ex-spouse dies. The monthly survivor benefit is also known as "survivors insurance" as it's much like a life insurance plan.

To be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits, the deceased worker should have worked and earned credits towards Social Security benefits. The number of years necessary to work depends on the age of the deceased family member.

The following family members may qualify for survivor benefits:

- a widow or widower, beginning at age 50 if disabled or 60 is not handicapped;

- a widow or widower who's caring for your child under the age of sixteen, regardless of the age of the widow or widower,

- unmarried children of the dead person also qualify if they're under age 18 (or age 22 if they are disabled).

- in many cases, even grandchildren, step children or adopted children might qualify for survivor benefits.

If you're divorced, you may qualify for survivor benefits on an ex-spouse if you were married for minimum 10 years, and you're age 60 or older when your ex-spouse passes (you only need to be age 50 if you are disabled).

Applying for Survivor Benefits:

Social Security should be notified and Social Security widow benefits should be applied for immediately after a family member has passed. To do it, you can call the Social Security Administration or visit the nearest office to you. You will require to present proof of death (death certificate or proof from a funeral home), your Social Security number and your deceased family member's Social Security number, your birth certificate, your marriage certificate if married, divorce papers if you are divorced, and income info for the deceased family member ( W-2s or income tax returns) for the most recent year.

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