Social Security Information

The information below will help you with the details necessary for Social Security if you're loved one was receiving Social Security benefits.

Although it is the legal responsibility of family members of a deceased individual to notify Social Security of a beneficiary's death, Carpenter Breland Funeral Home will do this for you.

If monthly benefits the deceased received from Social Security were being paid via direct deposit, notify the bank or other financial institution of the beneficiary's death. Request that any funds received for the month of death and later be returned to Social Security as soon as possible.

If benefits were being paid by check, do not cash any checks received for the month in which the beneficiary died or thereafter. Return the checks to Social Security as soon as possible.

The check that comes at the first of the month is for the previous month. For the person to be entitled to that check, he or she must have been alive throughout the entire month. If the deceased was not alive the entire month, the check must be returned. Midnight, the last day of the month is the determining factor!

One-Time Lump Sum Death Payment
The lump sum death benefit is $255. It is paid if the deceased worked long enough under Social Security to be insured for benefits. The lump sum can only be paid if there is a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased at the time of death.

If there is no surviving spouse, it can be paid to a spouse who is eligible for benefits or a child (or children) eligible for benefits. Otherwise, there is no death benefit.

Applying for Survivor's benefits
If the surviving member of a couple is already receiving benefits on the record of the deceased at the same address, then no application is generally needed. The lump sum is issued and survivor's benefits will be started automatically. Widow's benefits usually start with the month of death.

Otherwise, applications will have to be filed with the Social Security office. The funeral director does not do this for you. You should contact the Social Security office to find out what documents will be needed. All of this can be handled by telephone.

Phone numbers for our area Social Security office are 308-532-9502 or toll free 800-772-1213.

Additional information may be found on the Social Security Administration website.