Social Security Administration

When someone passes away, Social Security offers a one-time death benefit of $255. To receive this payment, a family member must contact the Social Security Administration directly. It’s important to know that not everyone qualifies.

Only certain people can apply for this benefit. The person must be:

- A surviving spouse, or

- A qualifying son or daughter

In some cases, they do not have to be living in the same household at the time of death. However, to receive the payment, one of the following must be true:

- They were already receiving Social Security benefits based on your record, or

- They became eligible for Social Security benefits after your death

There is also a time limit. Your family must apply for this benefit within two years of your passing, or the payment may be lost.

While this benefit can help a little, as you can see it is a very small amount and usually does not cover funeral or burial costs. Planning ahead can help reduce the financial burden on your loved ones.