Survivor Benefits: What to Ask Social Security and What to Bring

Social Security survivor benefits can be one of the most important supports for a family after a parent dies, and many dads do not know their kids may qualify. The system can feel confusing, so this article focuses on what to bring and what to ask. Social Security makes the final call on eligibility and amounts, so treat this as a way to walk in prepared.

A few things worth knowing first

• You usually do not have to report the death yourself. Funeral homes generally notify Social Security. If no funeral home is involved, you will need to call.
• You cannot report a death or apply for survivor benefits online. You apply by phone or in person. Call 1 800 772 1213 (TTY 1 800 325 0778) to start or to book an appointment.
• Your children may qualify if they are unmarried and under 18, or 19 if they are still in high school. The parent who died must have worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough, and Social Security can check that for you.
• You may qualify too. A surviving parent caring for the deceased worker's child under 16 may receive what Social Security calls a father's benefit. It generally applies to surviving spouses and some former spouses, and it can be reduced if you earn above an annual limit. If you were never married to your child's other parent, your kids may still qualify on their own; ask Social Security how it applies to you.
• There is a small one time payment. Social Security pays a lump sum death payment of $255 to an eligible surviving spouse, or to eligible children if there is no spouse.
• There is a family maximum. Total benefits paid on one worker's record are capped, so individual amounts may be adjusted when several family members qualify.

What to bring

Social Security will confirm exactly what it needs for your case. It often asks for originals or certified copies, so call ahead. Commonly requested items include:

• A certified copy of the death certificate
• Your Social Security number and your children's numbers
• Your children's birth certificates
• Your marriage certificate, or divorce papers if you were divorced
• Your partner's most recent W2 or tax return
• Your bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit

Questions to ask on the call

1. Which of us is eligible: me, my kids, or both?
2. What is the estimated monthly amount for each of us?
3. Does my income from work reduce any benefit, and by how much?
4. Will I be the representative payee for my children, and what records do I need to keep?
5. When will payments start, and is any back pay owed?
6. What happens to each benefit as my kids turn 16, 18, or 19?
7. Do you need anything else from me, and by when?

Write down the name of everyone you speak with, the date, and what they told you.

Keep it organized

Benefit letters, award notices, and representative payee records are exactly the kind of paperwork that gets lost in a hard year. The FOLDS Method gives you one place to keep them. For the official details, start at SSA.gov's survivors benefits page.

If the weight of all this is heavy, you are not alone. Find grief support for dads on our Connect page.