Social Security & Survivor Benefits
Social Security
The loss of the family wage earner can be devastating, emotionally and financially. Social Security helps by providing income for families of workers who die. In fact, 98 of every 100 children could get benefits if a working parent dies. Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other federal program.
Survivor Benefits
Many people think of Social Security only as a retirement program. But some of the Social Security taxes you pay go toward providing survivors insurance for workers and their families. Oftentimes, the value of the survivors insurance you have is more than the value of your individual life insurance.
When you die, certain members of your family may be eligible for survivors benefits. These include widows, widowers (and divorced widows and widowers), children and dependent parents.
As you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits toward your Social Security benefits. The number of years you need to work for your family to be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits depends on your age when you die. The younger you are, the fewer years you need to work. But no one needs more than ten years of work to be eligible for Social Security benefits.
Under a special rule, if you have worked for only one and one-half years in the three years just before your death, benefits can be paid to your children and your spouse who is caring for your children.
Applying for Survivors Benefits
If you are not currently getting Social Security benefits, you should apply for survivors' benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits will be paid from the time you apply and not from the time the worker died.
The information needed includes:
- Proof of death, either from a funeral home or death certificate
- Your Social Security number, as well as the deceased worker's
- Your birth certificate
- Your marriage certificate, if you are a widow or widower
- Your divorce papers, if you are applying as a divorced widow or widower
- Dependent children's Social Security numbers, if available, and birth certificates
- Deceased worker's W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax return for the most recent year
- The name of your bank and your account number so benefits can be deposited directly
If you are getting benefits as a wife or husband based on your spouse's work when you report the death, The Social Security Administration will change your payments to survivors benefits. If you are getting benefits based on your own work, call or visit a Social Security office to check if you can get more money as a widow or widower.
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.
Who Can Qualify?
Key points
- A widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled), or at any age if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled.
- A divorced widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled) 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 lime).
- Children who were disabled before reaching 22, as long as they remained disabled.
- Dependent parent or parents 62 or older.
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.
Read more about survivor benefits at SocialSecurity.gov. Or call Burton Quinn Scott at 814-454-4551.
Testimonials
Thanks to all of you for making the most difficult time in our lives a bit easier.
The home looked beautiful. The newspaper article and picture video was just a great honor to our memories and to our loved one’s Life. The Service was what we wanted to share, thanks for making it happen.
With sincere appreciation.
July 10, 2018
Dear Karen,
Thank you for the beautiful snowflake ornament with my husband’s name on it that you sent to me. It is another example of how Burton’s is top notch in caring for the families of deceased individuals.
Bill at your West Lake Branch was extraordinary in meeting the needs and wants of my family. Everything was done to perfection and though it was the most devastating time in my life, I was very happy with the way everything was done.
My husband chose Burton Westlake when we were there for calling hours for a friend. As far as I am concerned, Jim made an excellent choice that day. Thanks for everything!
January 6, 2019
Dear Karen, you were very gracious and helpful caring for my family. Things went very smoothly.
Thank you for all your guidance and care.
July 26, 2018
Everyone was very helpful. – Charles H.
7/15/2022
My Family and I want to thank you and your staff, for being so caring. During our time of hurt. It will never be forgotten. We appreciated you coming out on a cold night to deliver my granddaughter’s bead for her necklace. She thanks you too.
December, 2017
Dear Bill, Patty and all at Burton Westlake,
Thank you for making it easy during the loss of my mom. The pre-planning we did really paid off. Everything was beautiful and very well done. I would recommend Burton Funeral services any time.
July 22, 2018
Karen,
To everyone at Burton, please know how much we ALL appreciate everything you and the whole staff did for us. We are very grateful.
October 5, 2018
I wanted to thank you for offering and then sending ornaments in memory of my parents. It was a source of comfort in this first Christmas without them.
Thank you again.
April 3, 2018
Karen, Mark, Peter and Staff
Thank you so much! I can’t tell you how helpful you all have been. You all have helped me so much through this terrible time in my life. You have all gone above and beyond and I appreciate it all so much! Thank you!
July 3, 2018
Not many people today are appreciated for the jobs they do. It has taken me this long but wanted to let you all know I appreciate you taking care of my dog and spelling his names correctly.
He was truly a service animal but will never get the full recognition he deserved for it.
Thank you for all you do.
March 22, 2018