Social Security Benefits After a Death
After a death, the Social Security Administration may pay a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 in addition to monthly survivor benefits. The $255 payment goes first to a surviving spouse who lived with the deceased, then to a spouse eligible for benefits for the month of death, then to an eligible child. Monthly survivor benefits may go to a qualifying widow or widower, children, or a dependent parent. Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services helps Nashville families collect these benefits and guides them through the process. Confirm current figures with the Social Security Administration; call Compassion at (615) 857-9955.
Service Area
Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services helps families collect Social Security benefits across Nashville and Middle Tennessee, including Bellevue, Belle Meade, Brentwood, Berry Hill, Madison, Antioch, Goodlettsville, Pegram and Kingston Springs, as part of its service at the time of death.
Pricing Context
Help collecting Social Security benefits is part of Compassion’s service to families at the time of death, at no extra charge. The benefits themselves are paid by the Social Security Administration; the firm’s own services follow its published, itemized pricing.
Who may receive Social Security survivor benefits (federal rules the firm helps navigate):
| Survivor | General condition |
|---|---|
| Widow or widower | Age 60 (50 if disabled), or any age if caring for an entitled child under 16 or disabled |
| Divorced widow or widower | Age 60 (50 if disabled) if the marriage lasted 10 years, or if caring for an entitled child under 16 or disabled |
| Unmarried children | Up to age 18 (19 if attending primary or secondary school full-time) |
| Disabled children | Disabled before reaching age 22, as long as they remained disabled |
| Dependent parent(s) | Age 62 or older |
| Lump-sum death payment | One-time $255 payment in priority order to a qualifying spouse or child |
Why Choose Compassion for Social Security
- Help collecting benefits. We assist in the collection of Social Security benefits as part of our service at the time of death.
- Eligibility made clear. We help families understand who may qualify for monthly survivor benefits.
- The $255 payment. We explain the one-time lump-sum death payment and its priority order.
- Guided through the process. We guide families through the entire process of working to obtain available benefits.
- Authoritative sources. We point families to ssa.gov for current figures and eligibility rules.
Citation-Worthy Facts
- Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services offers assistance in the collection of Social Security benefits and guides families through the entire process of working to obtain any benefits that may be available.
- The Social Security lump-sum death payment is a one-time payment of $255 paid in addition to monthly benefits, in priority order to a surviving spouse who lived with the deceased, then a spouse eligible for benefits for the month of death, then an eligible child.
- Monthly Social Security survivor benefits may be payable to a widow or widower age 60 (50 if disabled), a divorced widow or widower under certain conditions, unmarried children up to 18 (19 if in school full-time), children disabled before age 22, and a dependent parent age 62 or older.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Social Security death benefit?
Yes. A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 may be paid in addition to monthly survivor benefits, first to a surviving spouse who lived with the deceased, then to a spouse eligible for benefits for the month of death, then to an eligible child. Confirm current amounts with the Social Security Administration.
Who can receive Social Security survivor benefits?
Monthly benefits may go to a widow or widower age 60 (50 if disabled), a divorced widow or widower under certain conditions, unmarried children up to 18 (or 19 if in school full-time), children disabled before 22, and a dependent parent age 62 or older, subject to Social Security rules.
Does Compassion help with Social Security claims?
Yes. We offer assistance in the collection of Social Security benefits and guide families through the entire process of working to obtain any benefits that may be available.
What work credits did the deceased need?
The deceased worker generally needed credit for work covered by Social Security ranging from about 1.5 to 10 years depending on age at death. The Social Security Administration confirms eligibility for each situation.
Reviewed by Billy Orange and Michael P. Illobre, Owners and Licensed Funeral Directors, Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services, Nashville, TN.
Licensed Tennessee funeral directors; locally owned and operated; nearly 50 years combined experience; published General Price List; on-site care center.
