Social Security's $255 Death Payment

Short answer

Social Security has a one-time death payment of $255.

SSA calls it the lump-sum death payment.

SSA says it can go only to a spouse or a child who meets SSA's rules.

You must apply for it within 2 years of the death.

This page only explains what SSA prints.

Only SSA can say who gets the payment.

This page is general information only. It is not financial advice and it is not benefits advice.

What this payment is

SSA says: "The lump-sum death payment is a one-time payment intended to help cover costs when a spouse or parent dies."

It is paid one time only.

It is not a monthly payment.

The amount SSA prints is $255.

A spouse

SSA says: "A spouse might get a one-time death benefit payment of $255."

SSA also gives a rule for a spouse who did not live in the same home.

SSA says: "A spouse who doesn't live in the same home may be eligible if they can get benefits based on the record of the person who died."

SSA's Handbook adds more words about a spouse who was not living with the person who died.

The Handbook says the lump-sum is payable to that spouse if the spouse was entitled to or eligible for benefits as a widow(er), mother, or father for the month the worker died.

The Handbook also says what "eligible" means.

It says an eligible person is one who would have been entitled to benefits if a timely application had been filed.

The Handbook also says the lump-sum is not payable to a divorced spouse.

A child, if there is no spouse

SSA says: "If there's no spouse, some children may be eligible."

SSA lists children who may be eligible this way:

Age 17 or younger, or,
Ages 18–19 and in school (K–12) full time or,
Any age if they developed a disability at age 21 or younger.

This page does not decide if a child fits this list.

Only SSA can decide that.

The time limit

SSA says: "You must apply for this payment within 2 years of the family member's death."

SSA's survivors FAQ says the same time limit in its own words.

It says survivors must apply for this payment within 2 years of the date of the number holder's death.

Do not wait if you think this payment may apply to your family.

Ask SSA about your own case.

How to apply

SSA's lump-sum death payment page gives two routes.

One route is an application on that page.

SSA says: "You will need to log into your account to proceed."

The other route is to call SSA.

SSA says: "Tell the representative you want to apply for a lump-sum death payment."

Call 1-800-772-1213.

Call TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you're deaf or hard of hearing.

SSA's survivors news page says one more thing about calling.

It says you can apply for both the lump sum death payment and monthly benefits at the same time by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

SSA words the online route in two ways

SSA's pages do not word the online route the same way.

Both wordings are printed here, just as SSA prints them.

They are not merged.

On the lump-sum death payment page, SSA offers an application and says: "You will need to log into your account to proceed."

On the survivors FAQ page, SSA says: "You cannot apply for survivors benefits online."

That FAQ page says to call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or contact your local Social Security office.

If you are not sure which route fits your case, call SSA and ask.

Different from monthly survivors benefits

This one-time $255 payment is different from monthly survivors benefits.

SSA says certain family members may be eligible for monthly Survivor benefit payments, and SSA's survivors pages explain those monthly payments.

Ask SSA about your own case

This page cannot tell you if you qualify.

It only repeats SSA's stated rules.

Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your own case.