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What are Social Security Death Benefits?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Social Security death benefits are benefits that are provided to the next of kin in the event of the death of the individual who has paid into the United States Social Security system for a number of years. The benefits are generally a carryover of any benefits that would be due to the deceased had he or she continued to live, and are provided to the survivors as part of their continued support and care. There are certain restrictions that apply to these Social Security benefits; if a claimant does not meet those qualifications, then the issuance of benefits will be denied.

One of the most common examples of the extension of Social Security death benefits is in the event of the death of a spouse. In this situation, the widow or widower can draw on the benefits due to the deceased spouse, with some restrictions based on age and health. Currently, the surviving spouse can claim full benefits if he or she has reached the retirement age of sixty-five, enjoy reduced benefits at the age of sixty, or receive full benefits if the surviving spouse is disabled and at least fifty years of age.

Death benefits may cover the cost of a funeral.
Death benefits may cover the cost of a funeral.

Children may also receive Social Security death benefits connected with a deceased parent under certain circumstances. If the child is disabled, he or she can claim the benefits at any age. Unmarried children that are still in high school and under the age of nineteen can also claim death benefits associated with a deceased parent. In some cases, grandchildren, children adopted by the deceased party, or stepchildren may be eligible to draw Social Security death benefits.

Social Security death benefits are benefits that are provided to the next of kin.
Social Security death benefits are benefits that are provided to the next of kin.

There are other situations in which a relative may be able to draw on the Social Security death benefits related to a loved one. When there is any doubt as to the status of the potential recipient, it is a good idea to check with the local Social Security office and determine if there are grounds for filing a claim. In some cases, the benefits may include the ability to enroll in the Social Security Medicare program, and may not be subject to the payment of Social Security taxes. Since the circumstances will determine the scope of the eligibility, it is often a good idea to explore all potential options with the help of an attorney who is well versed in current laws pertaining to the function and structure of Social Security in the United States.

A widow or widower can draw on Social Security benefits due to the deceased spouse, with restrictions based on age and health.
A widow or widower can draw on Social Security benefits due to the deceased spouse, with restrictions based on age and health.

Along with providing ongoing support to the dependants and survivors of the deceased party, Social Security death benefits also include a small stipend that can be used to help defray the costs of burial. Because the current amount of this stipend is very small, most families make some sort of other arrangements to handle the costs of burying the deceased party. These often include options such as prepaid funeral arrangements, or maintaining a burial insurance policy that pays a lump sum once the insurance company has confirmed the passing of the insured party.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including SmartCapitalMind, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including SmartCapitalMind, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Discussion Comments

mobilian33

@Drentel - I agree that two or three hundred dollars are not going to pay for a funeral, but every little bit helps. I think the Social Security death benefits should be sent to whoever is handling the body of the dead person. The funeral home can collect the check and then subtract the amount from the total bill for the arrangements.

Drentel

@Laotionne - I'm not sure of the exact rules for who does and who does not receive Social Security burial benefits, but I do know that when my father died my mother received a couple of hundred dollars. She was suffering from dementia and living in an assisted living facility at the time, so the money was deposited into her account with the facility.

When my mother died, since my father was already dead, there was no Social Security burial benefit sent out. I was not able to receive the money to help with the burial even though she was my mother, and I was taking care of the burial arrangements.

This was not really a big issue because the couple of hundred dollars would not have made much of a difference when you consider the actual thousands of dollars that the average burial costs. Social Security death benefits for burial are more of an insult than anything else.

Laotionne

Are children of the deceased eligible to receive the social security death benefit to help with the burial of a parent regardless of the age of the children. This seems logical since the purpose of the money is to help with the burial, and the money goes toward burial and not to the individuals themselves.

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    • Death benefits may cover the cost of a funeral.
      By: Robert Hoetink
      Death benefits may cover the cost of a funeral.
    • Social Security death benefits are benefits that are provided to the next of kin.
      By: CandyBox Images
      Social Security death benefits are benefits that are provided to the next of kin.
    • A widow or widower can draw on Social Security benefits due to the deceased spouse, with restrictions based on age and health.
      By: Mila Supynska
      A widow or widower can draw on Social Security benefits due to the deceased spouse, with restrictions based on age and health.