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IMPORTANT NOTE:

Our funeral home faxes the Statement of Death by Funeral Director form (SSA-721) form to the local Social Security Office. To apply for any benefits, you must contact the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 or locally at 717-782-3400.

Who Can Receive Surivor Benefits

  1. A widow or widower can receive full benefits at age 65 or any age if caring for an entitled child (under 16 or disabled) of the deceased worker. Reduced benefits can be received at age 60 (or at age 50 if disabled). This will not prevent the payment of benefits provided the worker died before the remarriage.
  2. Unmarried children up to age 18 (or 19 if they are attending elementary or secondary school full time), who were disabled before age 22 can receive benefits at any age as long as they remained disabled.
  3. A divorced widow or widower after 10 years of marriage can receive full benefits at 65 or any age if caring for an entitled child (under 16 or disabled) of the deceased worker. Reduced benefits can be received at 60 (or 50 if disabled). Remarriage after 60 (or 50 if disabled) will not prevent the payment of benefits.
  4. A divorced widow or widower married less than 10 years can receive benefits at any age if caring for an entitled child (under 16 or disabled) of the deceased worker.
  5. Grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and dependent parents 62 or older may qualify for Survivor Benefits on the deceased worker’s record under certain circumstances.

Lump Sum Death Benefit

Lump Sum Death benefit is a one-time payment of $255.00. This is in addition to any monthly Survivor Insurance benefits. This amount is paid to the surviving widow[er] who was either living in the same household as the deceased at the time of death or was eligible for or entitled to Survivor Benefits on the deceased worker’s record for the month of death. If there was no surviving widow[er], the amount is payable to a child or children eligible for Survivor Benefits on the deceased worker’s record for the month the worker died.

How To Apply

You can apply for Survivor Benefits by telephone at 1-800-772-1213 or locally at 717-782-3400. In case you want to stop by your local Social Security Office, the Central Pennsylvania (Harrisburg Area) address and phone number is: Social Security Office, 555 Walnut Street Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 782-3400 You should apply for benefits as soon as possible. The Social Security Office may need certain evidence to complete your application.

Additional Documents Needed

  1. Your Social Security number and the deceased’s worker’s number
  2. Proof of your age
  3. Proof of marriage, if you are applying for widow or widower’s benefits
  4. Proof of the worker’s death (i.e. Death Certificate)
  5. Children’s birth certificates, [if children are applying for benefits]
  6. Deceased worker’s Form W-2 [or federal tax return, if self-employed] for the most recent tax year.
  7. Proof of support if you are applying for benefits as a dependent parent or as grandchildren of the deceased worker.

Benefits Mailed to the Deceased

If the deceased was receiving benefits before his or her death, the survivor may generally keep benefits received for the month prior to the month of death. Any benefits payable to the deceased received for the month of death or later must be returned. Do not spend any benefits received in the name of the deceased after the first of the month following the date of death. If monthly benefits have been directly deposited into a bank account, contact your bank as soon as possible so they will not accept the deposit. Should the benefits be deposited following the death, notify the bank, and the bank should refund the monies to the United States Treasury.