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