Does Everyone Get Social Security’s $255 Death Benefit?

No. The $255 Social Security death benefit is a one-time payment available only to certain surviving spouses or children. It is not automatically paid to every family after a death, and eligible survivors generally must apply within two years.

The official name for the payment is the Social Security lump-sum death payment. It is separate from monthly Social Security survivor benefits, which may provide continuing income to eligible spouses, divorced spouses, children and dependent parents.
 

Who qualifies for the $255 Social Security death benefit?

A surviving spouse usually has priority for the lump-sum death payment.

A spouse may qualify if they were living in the same household as the deceased worker when the worker died. A spouse who was living separately may still qualify in certain circumstances if they were eligible for Social Security benefits based on the deceased worker’s record.

If there is no eligible spouse, the payment may be available to certain children, including a child who is:

• 17 or younger.

• 18 or 19 and attending elementary or secondary school full time.

• Any age and disabled, if the disability began before age 22.

Being related to the deceased does not automatically establish eligibility. Siblings, adult children who do not meet Social Security’s requirements and other relatives generally cannot receive the $255 payment simply because no spouse qualifies.
 

How to apply for Social Security’s $255 death benefit

Eligible survivors should contact the Social Security Administration as soon as possible. A funeral home will often report the death to Social Security, but reporting the death is not the same as applying for the lump-sum death payment. 

To apply:

1. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778.

2. Ask about the lump-sum death payment.

3. Contact a local Social Security office if the agency requires an in-person appointment.

4. Complete Form SSA-8, Information You Need to Apply for Lump-Sum Death Benefit.

5. Submit the application within two years of the worker’s death.

The payment cannot generally be claimed through the standard online Social Security application. The Social Security Administration will determine whether the survivor meets the legal requirements.
 

What documents may be needed?

Social Security may request documents such as:

• The deceased worker’s Social Security number.

• The survivor’s Social Security number.

• Proof of marriage or family relationship.

• Proof that the spouse lived with the deceased, if required.

• The deceased person’s death certificate.

• Birth certificates or school records for qualifying children.

• Medical evidence for a child whose disability began before age 22.

• Proof of legal authority when applying for an estate or another person.

The agency may request additional information depending on the survivor’s circumstances.
 

Do monthly survivor benefits pay more?

Often, yes. The $255 payment is made only once, while monthly Social Security survivor benefits may continue for years if the survivor qualifies.

Potential beneficiaries can include:

• A surviving spouse age 60 or older.

• A surviving spouse age 50 or older with a qualifying disability.

• A surviving spouse of any age caring for the deceased worker’s child.

• An unmarried child who meets Social Security’s age or disability requirements.

• A surviving divorced spouse who meets the marriage and age requirements.

• A dependent parent age 62 or older who relied on the deceased child for financial support.

A surviving divorced spouse may qualify for monthly benefits if they were married to the deceased worker for at least 10 years and meet other Social Security requirements.

Monthly benefit amounts depend on the deceased worker’s earnings history, the survivor’s age and the family member’s relationship to the worker.
 

$255 death benefit versus monthly survivor benefits

Eligibility for one benefit does not automatically determine eligibility for the other. A person who does not qualify for the $255 payment may still qualify for monthly survivor benefits, and the reverse may also be true.
 

What should families do after a death?

Families should ask Social Security about all available programs, not just the $255 payment.

Use the official Social Security survivor benefits page to review eligibility, and visit the SSA survivor benefits eligibility guide for information about spouses, ex-spouses, children and dependent parents.

The most important steps are:

• Report the death if the funeral home has not already done so.

• Ask specifically about the lump-sum death payment.

• Apply before the two-year deadline.

• Ask whether anyone qualifies for monthly survivor benefits.

• Keep copies of all forms and documents submitted.

Bottom line

The $255 Social Security death benefit is not a universal payment. It is generally reserved for a qualifying surviving spouse or, if no eligible spouse exists, certain children.

Because the payment is separate from monthly Social Security survivor benefits, families should contact the Social Security Administration promptly and ask about both programs.

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