When someone in your family dies, and you believe you are qualified to receive survivor benefits, file for them quickly. In most cases, the Social Security Administration pays benefits from the time that you apply for them, not from the time that the family member died. Apply for these benefits if you are a widow or widower and carrying for the deceased's child under the age of 16, an unmarried child under the age of 18, or you are the dependent parent of the deceased who is over the age of 62. Stepchildren, adopted children and grandchildren who were cared for by the deceased may also qualify.

Applying for Survivor Benefits

To file for survivor benefits, contact your local Social Security office or contact the Social Security Administration over the phone. Gather as much information as you have prior to contacting. However, if you do not have any of the information listed below, do not wait to obtain it. Once you obtain most of the following, the Social Security Administration will provide you with more information.

• Proof of death is necessary. The servicing funeral home can provide this or a death certificate is acceptable.
• Your Social Security number is necessary. You will also need the Social Security number of the deceased person.
• Obtain a copy of your birth certificate.
• If you are a widow or widower from the deceased person, you will need a copy of your marriage certificate.
• If you are divorced from the deceased, and applying as a divorced widow or widower, you will need a copy of the divorce decree.
• For dependent children, birth certificates and Social Security numbers should be obtained.
• Obtain copies of the deceased worker's W-2 forms for the most recent year. For some, federal self-employment tax returns may be necessary.

Once you obtain this information, or most of it, contact the Social Security Administration. You can contact the organization at 1-800-772-1213 or use a local office phone number. Also have on hand your bank's name and a blank check, if you wish to have Social Security funds automatically deposited into a checking or savings account.

Once you file this information, the process is initiated. The Social Security Administration will verify all information and then approve or reject your claim. In the case of a rejection, you may be able to appeal it, by working through the Appeal Process. Having accurate information at the time of filing for survivor benefits can speed up the process.

Getting Legal Help

If you have difficulty filing for survivor benefits, contact an attorney to help you. The process is generally simple, but when the administration does not immediately approve your claim, an attorney's aid can be helpful.