The Social Security Lump Sum Death Payment: Who Gets It and How to Claim It
What the lump sum death payment is and who can receive it
When someone who received Social Security dies, the Social Security Administration pays a one-time lump sum of $255 to help cover funeral costs. This payment goes to whoever was living with the deceased at the time of death, or to whoever paid for the funeral. If no one meets those conditions, the payment goes to the estate.
You do not have to be related to the person who died to receive this payment. A friend, caregiver, or anyone else who lived in the same household or paid funeral expenses can claim it. The key is that the deceased person must have been receiving Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at the time they died.
The $255 amount has not changed since 1954. It is a fixed payment, not based on how much the person was receiving each month or how long they had been on Social Security.
Key Takeaways
- The lump sum death payment is $255 and goes to someone living with the deceased, someone who paid for the funeral, or the estate.
- The deceased person must have been receiving Social Security retirement, SSDI, or SSI when they died for anyone to receive this payment.
- You must report the death to Social Security within a specific timeframe, usually by submitting a death certificate and a claim form.
- Surviving spouses and children may also receive ongoing monthly benefits based on the deceased person's Social Security record, separate from the lump sum.
- If the deceased person was overpaid in the month they died, Social Security may keep the lump sum to recover that overpayment.
Who qualifies to receive the payment
Social Security prioritizes who receives the lump sum in this order: first, a surviving spouse living in the same household; second, a surviving child under 19 (or up to 22 if a full-time student); third, a surviving parent age 60 or older; fourth, anyone else who was living with the deceased and can show they paid for the funeral; and fifth, the estate if no one else claims it.
If multiple people meet the same priority level—for example, two adult children who both lived with the parent—Social Security divides the $255 equally among them. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to receive this payment, but the deceased person must have been receiving Social Security benefits at the time of death.
The payment is not made automatically. Someone must contact Social Security and request it, usually by submitting a claim form along with a certified death certificate.
How to report the death and claim the payment
Start by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report the death. Have the deceased person's Social Security number ready. Social Security will ask basic questions about the death and may tell you what documents to send. You can also visit a local Social Security office in person, though calling is usually faster.
Next, obtain a certified death certificate from the vital records office in the county or state where the person died. You will need multiple copies—order at least three. The funeral home can often order these for you, or you can contact the vital records office directly. There is usually a small fee per copy, typically $10 to $25.
Complete Form SSA-8, the Application for Lump Sum Death Payment, and mail it to your local Social Security office along with the death certificate. You can find the form on the Social Security website or request it by phone. Include your name, address, phone number, and relationship to the deceased. If you paid for the funeral, include receipts or an itemized bill from the funeral home.
Social Security will review your claim and contact you if they need more information. The process typically takes two to four weeks, though it can be longer if documents are missing or if there are questions about who should receive the payment.
What happens if the deceased was overpaid
If the person who died received a Social Security payment for the month in which they died, Social Security may consider that an overpayment. When someone dies, they are no longer may have access to to benefits for that month, even if they received a check. Social Security will keep the lump sum death payment to recover that overpayment before sending any remaining balance to you.
For example, if the deceased received a $1,500 benefit in the month they died and was overpaid $1,500, Social Security would use the $255 lump sum toward that debt. You would receive nothing. If the overpayment was only $100, Social Security would keep $100 of the $255 and send you $155.
You can ask Social Security to waive an overpayment if you did not cause it and repaying it would create a hardship. This is a separate process and requires submitting a written request with documentation of your financial situation.
Surviving family members may receive ongoing monthly benefits
The lump sum death payment is separate from ongoing survivor benefits. A surviving spouse, children, or parents may be may have access to to monthly payments based on the deceased person's Social Security record. These are different programs with different rules and amounts.
A widow or widower can receive benefits as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled). A surviving spouse of any age caring for a child under 16 can also receive benefits. Unmarried children under 19 (or up to 22 if in school) can receive benefits on a parent's record. Parents age 62 or older may receive benefits if they depended on the deceased for at least half their support.
To explore whether surviving family members may receive ongoing benefits, contact Social Security or visit the Social Security website. The lump sum payment does not affect whether someone can receive survivor benefits—these are calculated separately.
What to do if Social Security denies your claim
If Social Security denies your claim for the lump sum death payment, you have the right to request reconsideration. You have 60 days from the date you receive the denial notice to ask Social Security to review the decision. Submit a written request to your local Social Security office explaining why you believe the decision was wrong.
Common reasons for denial include: the deceased was not receiving Social Security at the time of death; you do not meet the priority order for who receives the payment; or Social Security cannot verify your relationship to the deceased. If the issue is priority—for example, another family member also claimed the payment—Social Security will determine who qualifies first.
If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This process is free and does not require a lawyer, though you can bring one if you choose. The hearing officer will review your case and make a new decision. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal further to the Appeals Council.
Documents you will need to gather
Before contacting Social Security, collect the following: the deceased person's Social Security number; a certified death certificate; proof of your relationship to the deceased (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption papers if applicable); and proof that you lived with the deceased or paid for the funeral (lease, utility bill, or funeral home receipt).
If you are claiming the payment because you paid for the funeral, bring itemized receipts or a bill from the funeral home showing what you paid. If you are a surviving spouse or child, bring your identification and proof of your relationship. If you are claiming on behalf of the estate, bring documentation showing you are the executor or administrator of the estate.
Keep copies of everything you submit. Social Security may lose documents, and having copies protects you if you need to resubmit or appeal a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive the lump sum if I did not live with the person who died?
Yes, if you paid for the funeral. Bring itemized receipts or a bill from the funeral home showing what you paid. If no one lived with the deceased and no one paid for the funeral, the payment goes to the estate.
What if multiple people claim the lump sum?
Social Security follows a priority order: surviving spouse in the household first, then children, then parents, then anyone else who paid for the funeral. If multiple people are at the same priority level, the $255 is divided equally among them. Social Security will determine who qualifies based on the documents you submit.
Does the lump sum count as income for taxes or benefits?
The lump sum death payment is not taxable income. It does not count toward your income for tax purposes. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or other means-tested benefits, the payment may count as a resource for one month, but rules vary by program. Contact your benefits administrator to ask.
How long does it take to receive the payment?
Social Security typically processes the claim within two to four weeks if all documents are complete and there are no disputes about who should receive the payment. If documents are missing or if multiple people claim the payment, it may take longer.
What if the person who died was not receiving Social Security?
There is no lump sum death payment. This benefit is only available if the deceased person was receiving Social Security retirement, SSDI, or SSI at the time of death. If they had worked and paid into Social Security but were not yet receiving benefits, surviving family members may still be may have access to to survivor benefits, which is a different program.