Glossary
What is Social Security death benefit?
The Social Security death benefit is a one-time lump-sum payment of $255 to an eligible surviving spouse or, in some cases, a dependent child of a worker who paid into Social Security. It is a small, fixed amount and is separate from ongoing survivor benefits.
To receive it, a surviving spouse generally must have been living with the deceased, or already receiving benefits on their record. If there is no eligible spouse, a dependent child may qualify.
The payment is not automatic — it must be claimed, usually within a set time after the death — and at $255 it covers only a small fraction of funeral costs. Contact the Social Security Administration to apply.
Related terms
Final expense insurance
Final expense insurance is a small whole-life insurance policy, usually $5,000 to $25,000, designed to cover funeral, burial or cremation, and final bills. It pays a cash benefit to a named beneficiary and is also called burial or funeral insurance.
Veterans burial benefits
Veterans burial benefits are services the US Department of Veterans Affairs provides for eligible veterans, which can include burial in a national cemetery, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
See also
Common questions about Social Security death benefit
Sources
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