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. 

Does Social Security pay dea

user: I was wondering if social security also pays death benefits? Does it?

assistant: Yes, it does. A one-time payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased; or, if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased's record.

assistant: Is there a surviving spouse?

user: No, I wasn't talking about an actual case. I've just been curious about that.

user: So, who can receive benefits then?

assistant: Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, for example a widow or widower age 60 or older, age 50 or older if disabled. Or a surviving divorced spouse.

user: Could I get benefits if I was a surviving spouse?

assistant: Yes, but you can not receive benefits as a surviving spouse while you are married.

user: And what if, for example, I applied for disability benefits as a survivor: is there any way to speed up the process? I'm asking for a friend.

assistant: Yes, there is. You can speed up the disability application process if you complete an Adult Disability Report and have it available at the time of your appointment. We use the same definition of disability for widows and widowers as we do for workers.

user: Thank you for explaining. Back to my initial question. What if I was a surviving widow, who is already receiving retirement benefits?

assistant: You can only apply for benefits as a widow or widower if the retirement benefit you receive is less than the benefits you would receive as a survivor.