was the deceased receiving Social Security benefits and are you the surviving spouse?
no I'm not but they were getting benefits
I wanted to ask about survivor benefits?
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
ok and what if they were actually receiving benefits and someone got them after the person dies?
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.
and if the survivor is not the spouse can the kids get a lump payout or will it be different?
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 .
okay and I read about the deceased not having enough credits or something and paid benefits, so can you tell me more?
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
can other people and not just the biological kids be eligible for benefits?