Veteran Benefits
The following benefits are available to an honorably discharged U.S. Veteran:
Under some circumstances there are survivors' benefits for spouses and minor children.
Social Security Benefits
Upon the death of an insured worker (those who have paid into Social Security for 6 Quarters), a lump sum benefit of $255 will be paid to a surviving spouse living in the same household. If there is no spouse who qualifies, the lump sum benefit may be paid to qualifying dependent children.
We send a statement of death to the local Social Security office as soon as we have the deceased's Social Security number. Most applications can be completed over the phone or through the mail so we strongly recommend the next-of-kin or their agent call the Social Security office within two weeks of the date of death. Application must be made within two years of the date of the death of the insured worker. When all of the records have been assembled by Social Security they will be able to appraise you of what other benefits are available.
The following checklist is designed to help you file for your Social Security benefits correctly so that prompt payments may be made.
Eligibility
The deceased worker must have credit for work covered by Social Security for a period ranging from 1 1/2 to 10 years (depending on his or her age at death).
Who May Receive Monthly Benefits?
Lump-sum Death Payments
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 to:
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.
Social Security Teleservice – Doing Business By Telephone
You may call Social Security toll-free, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The number to use is 1-800-772-1213. 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.
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.