SSA Office Visit Guide
Apply for Social Security survivors benefits
Social Security benefits for spouses, children, and dependents after the death of a wage earner. Eligibility and how to apply.
When a worker who paid into Social Security dies, certain family members may qualify for monthly survivor benefits. These benefits can replace a meaningful portion of lost income and continue for years — but the rules are detailed and you must apply.
Quick answer: Survivors benefits cannot be applied for online. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office. Apply as soon as possible after the death — benefits generally are not retroactive beyond six months.
Who can receive survivors benefits
- Surviving spouse age 60+ (50+ if disabled); at any age if caring for the deceased's child under 16
- Divorced spouse if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and meeting age requirements
- Unmarried children under 18 (or 19 if still in high school)
- Disabled children of any age, if the disability began before age 22
- Dependent parents age 62+
How much will the benefit be?
Survivor benefits are a percentage of the deceased worker's basic benefit:
| Survivor | Approximate percentage |
|---|---|
| Surviving spouse at full retirement age | 100% |
| Surviving spouse age 60 to full retirement age | 71.5% – 99% |
| Disabled surviving spouse age 50–59 | 71.5% |
| Surviving spouse caring for child under 16 | 75% |
| Each child under 18 | 75% |
| Each dependent parent (one) | 82.5% |
| Each dependent parent (two) | 75% each |
There's a family maximum, generally between 150% and 180% of the deceased's benefit. If total payments would exceed this, each survivor's benefit is reduced proportionally.
The one-time death benefit
In addition to monthly benefits, the SSA pays a one-time death benefit of $255 to a surviving spouse who lived with the deceased, or to a spouse or child eligible for survivor benefits. Apply within two years of the death.
How to apply
You cannot apply for survivors benefits online. Either:
- Call 1-800-772-1213 to start the application.
- Visit an SSA office in person — find your nearest one in our state directory.
In many cases, the funeral home reports the death to the SSA. But you should still contact the SSA yourself to confirm and to start your application.
Documents you'll need
- Your Social Security number and the deceased's SSN
- Death certificate (the funeral director may have provided one)
- Your birth certificate
- Marriage certificate if you're a surviving spouse
- Divorce decree if you're a surviving divorced spouse
- The deceased's W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns from last year
- Bank routing and account number for direct deposit
- For children: their SSNs and birth certificates
If you already receive Social Security
If you're already receiving spousal benefits when your spouse dies, the SSA generally converts your benefit to survivor benefits automatically. If you receive your own retirement benefit and qualify for higher survivor benefits, contact the SSA to switch.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly do benefits start?
Once approved, the first payment typically arrives within 30–45 days. Apply promptly — benefits are generally not paid retroactively beyond six months.
Can I receive both my own retirement and survivor benefits?
No, you cannot receive both at the same time. The SSA pays the higher of the two amounts. Some people strategically claim survivor benefits first and switch to their own retirement benefit later (or vice versa) to maximize lifetime payments.
What about divorced spouses?
A surviving divorced spouse can receive benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, they are 60+ (50+ if disabled), and they have not remarried before age 60 (50 if disabled). These benefits do not affect benefits paid to the current spouse.
What if the deceased had not retired yet?
As long as the deceased had enough work credits at death (generally 10 years of work, but as little as 1.5 years for younger workers), survivors can still qualify. The SSA calculates the benefit based on the worker's earnings record.