| If a relative dies, you should apply for | | | | - Dependent children's social security |
| survivor benefits right away. Benefits are | | | | numbers, and birth certificates |
| usually paid from the time you apply and not | | | | |
| on the time, the worker died. | | | | - Deceased worker's W-2 forms, or federal |
| | | | self-employment tax return for the recent |
| These are the things to do in case a relative | | | | year |
| dies: | | | | |
| | | | - The name of your bank and bank account |
| - Notify the social security agency of the | | | | number |
| beneficiary's death | | | | |
| | | | How much will you receive? |
| - Notify the bank of the death , to make | | | | |
| necessary arrangement with the agency | | | | The benefit amount is often based on the |
| regarding the payment | | | | average lifetime earnings of the person who |
| | | | died. The more the worker paid into social |
| - If benefits were being paid by checks, | | | | security, the greater the benefits will be. |
| return the checks to the agency | | | | Survivor benefits are calculated using the |
| | | | deceased worker's basic benefit amount to get |
| When applying for survivor benefits, you will | | | | the percentage, which depends on the |
| be required to provide information on the | | | | survivor's ages and relationship to the |
| following: | | | | worker. |
| | | | |
| - Proof of death from the funeral home | | | | There is a limit to the benefits that can be |
| | | | paid to you and other family members each |
| - Your social security number and the | | | | month. The maximum limit available to |
| number of your relatives" | | | | survivors varies but about150 to 180 percent |
| | | | of the deceased benefit amount is the maximum |
| - Your birth certificate | | | | limit. |
| | | | |
| - Your marriage certificate, if you are a | | | | Who is entitled to receive survivor benefits? |
| widow or widower | | | | |
| | | | - Widow or widower - A widow/ widower may |
| - Your divorced paper, if you are applying | | | | receive full benefits at age 65 if born |
| as a divorce widow | | | | before January 1940. |
| | | | |