“Death Benefits” FROM SOCIAL SECURITY.... 

Social Security death benefits are payments made to eligible survivors of a deceased person who worked and paid into the Social Security system. These benefits are intended to help the surviving family members with expenses and financial needs after the loss of a loved one. Here is how Social Security death benefits work:

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1. Eligibility: To be eligible for Social Security death benefits, the deceased person must have worked long enough to be insured under the Social Security system. The amount of work needed to be insured depends on the worker's age at death. In general, a person needs to have worked at least 10 years to be eligible for any Social Security benefits.                                                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Who is eligible for benefits: The following individuals may be eligible for Social Security death benefits:

         *A surviving spouse who was married to the deceased person for at least 9 months, or if the marriage resulted in a child

         *Children of the deceased person who are under 18, or up to 19 if they are still in school

         *Dependent parents of the deceased person who are 62 or older

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   3.How much is paid: The amount of the Social Security death benefit depends on the earnings of the deceased person. The benefit is paid in the form of a one-time payment of $255. If the deceased person was receiving Social Security benefits at the time of their death, the surviving spouse (if they are age 60 or older) or children (if they are disabled) may be eligible to receive those benefits. In addition, the surviving spouse may be eligible for a survivor's benefit, which is a percentage of the deceased person's full retirement benefit.

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   4.How to apply: To apply for Social Security death benefits, the surviving spouse or a representative of the deceased person's estate should contact the Social Security Administration. The survivor will need to provide proof of death, such as a death certificate, and proof of the deceased person's earnings, such as W-2 forms or tax returns.

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   5.When benefits are paid: Social Security death benefits are usually paid within 6-8 weeks after the Social Security Administration receives the claim. If the surviving spouse or children are also eligible for other benefits, such as survivor's benefits or dependent's benefits, those payments may begin before the one-time death benefit payment is made.

Social Security death benefits are intended to provide financial support to surviving family members after the loss of a loved one. Eligibility for these benefits is based on the deceased person's work history and the relationship of the survivor to the deceased. If you think you may be eligible for Social Security death benefits, it is important to contact the Social Security Administration as soon as possible to start the application process.