When a person who has worked under the social security law dies, it is important that a member of the family contact the social security office. If you can not get to the social security office, a social security representative will make an appointment to come to you.

Long delays in filing an application can cause loss of some benefits since back payments for monthly cash benefits can not be retroactive. Cash benefits to survivors are figured from the amount of retirement or disability benefit of the deceased.

In some cases a lump sum death benefit is paid to the dependent of a worker under the social security program. An application for a lump sum death payment usually must be made within 2 years of death. Monthly payments are also paid to dependents when a worker dies.

The criteria for defining a Dependent are as follows:

• Unmarried children under 18 (under 19 if a full time high-school student)
• Unmarried son or daughter 18 or over who was severely disabled before 22 and continues to be disabled
• Widow or widower 60 years of age or older
• Widow or widower or surviving divorced mother or father caring for worker's child under 16 (or disabled), who is getting benefits based on the earnings of the deceased worker.
• Dependent parents 62 or older. Checks can also go to a divorced spouse at 62 or over, or a surviving divorced spouse at 60 or to a disabled surviving divorced spouse 50 or older if the marriage lasted 10 years or more. Under certain conditions, children may be eligible for Social Security benefits based on a grandparents earnings.

How to Apply For Social Security Benefits:
The following should be obtained prior to your visit to the social security office - but do not delay in contacting the social security office if you do not have all items.

• Social security number of the deceased
• Record of deceased's earnings, if any, in year before death and/or in same year of death. An income tax return (W-2) is satisfactory
• Name of employer
• Location of last social security check received. A survivor is entitled to a deceased's last check if the deceased died on or after the first day of the month
• Birth records of deceased's children under 18 years of age (19 if a full time high school student)
• Marriage certificate to verify widow or widower
• Social Security numbers of surviving spouse and children