Survivors benefits, which are paid to a deceased worker's family, can help with financial problems that sometimes follow a worker's death by providing a continuing cash income. Of course, Social Security benefits are paid monthly and not in a lump-sum payment. Today, Social Security pays monthly survivors benefits to 7.4 million Americans, almost 2 million of whom are children. While people usually think of retirement benefits when they think of Social Security, the program also protects a worker who becomes severely disabled. It's important protection.
Few workers have private, long-term disability insurance.
Under Social Security, workers are considered disabled if they have a severe physical or mental condition that prevents them from working. The condition must be expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in death. Once benefits begin, they continue for as long as the worker is disabled and can't work. The disabled worker and his or her eligible family members receive checks each month. Also, a worker who receives disability payments for two years becomes eligible for Medicare.