Benefits Planner: Survivors | If You Are The Survivor 
Just as you plan for your family's protection if you die , you should consider the Social Security benefits that may be available if you are the survivor that is, the spouse, child, or parent of a worker who dies. That person must have worked long enough under Social Security to qualify for benefits. 

How Your Spouse Earns Social Security Survivors Benefits 
A worker can earn up to four credits each year. In 2019 , for example , your spouse can earn one credit for each $1,360 of wages or self - employment income. When your spouse has earned $5,440 , they have earned their four credits for the year. The number of credits needed to provide benefits for survivors depends on the worker's age when they die. No one needs more than 40 credits 10 years of work to be eligible for any Social Security benefit. But , the younger a person is , the fewer credits they must have for family members to receive survivors benefits. Benefits can be paid to the worker's children and the surviving spouse who is caring for the children even if the worker doesn't have the required number of credits. They can get benefits if the worker has credit for one and one - half years of work 6 credits in the three years just before their death. Each person s situation is different and you need to talk to a Social Security claims representative about your choices. 

When A Family Member Dies 
We should be notified as soon as possible when a person dies. However , you cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online. If you need to report a death or apply for benefits , call 1 - 800 - 772 - 1213 TTY 1 - 800 - 325 - 0778. You can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also visit your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required , but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you spend waiting to speak to someone. 

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user: we had someone pass away and I want to know about what to do

assistant: was the deceased receiving Social Security benefits and are you the surviving spouse?

user: no I'm not but they were getting benefits

user: I wanted to ask about survivor benefits?

assistant: These are two examples of what a survivor would receive; Widow or widower , full retirement age or older 100 percent of the deceased worker 's benefit amount. and Widow or widower age 60 full retirement age 71 to 99 percent of the deceased worker 's basic amount

user: ok and what if they were actually receiving benefits and someone got them after the person dies?

assistant: They will have to return the benefit received for the month of death and any later months. For example , if the person died in July then you must return the benefits paid in August . How the benefits are returned depends on how the deceased received benefits.

user: and if the survivor is not the spouse can the kids get a lump payout or will it be different?

assistant: In that case a lump - sum can be paid to the worker's child or children if ,during the month the worker died the child was already receiving benefits on the worker's record or became eligible for benefits upon the worker's death .

user: okay and I read about the deceased not having enough credits or something and paid benefits, so can you tell me more?

assistant: Benefits can still be paid to the worker 's children and the surviving spouse who is caring for the children even if the worker didn't have the required number of credits .They can get benefits if the worker has credit for one and one - half years of work in the three years just before their death .Each person s situation is different and you need to talk to a Social Security claims representative about your choices