Social Security

In certain cases, surviving family members may be able to receive Social Security benefits on behalf of a deceased person.  Although we notify Social Security of a passing when we complete a death certificate, we encourage families to contact Social Security to determine what benefits may be available to them.  A certified copy of the death certificate will be necessary for this task.

• A surviving spouse aged 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled);
  
• A surviving spouse at any age who is caring for the deceased's child under the age of 16 or disabled;
  
• An unmarried child of the deceased who is younger than 18 (or age 18 or 19 and a full-time student in elementary or secondary school); or age 18+ with a disability that began before age 22;
  
• Parents, age 62 +, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support; and
  
• A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.