How to Apply for Social Security Survivor Benefits

You cannot apply for Social Security survivor benefits online. SSA requires you to call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office in person. That catches most people off guard — nearly everything else at SSA has moved online, but survivor claims still need a live conversation with a claims specialist.

Who Qualifies for Survivor Benefits

SSA pays monthly survivor benefits to several categories of family members:

• Widow or widower age 60 or older (or age 50 if disabled). Full survivor benefits start at your Full Retirement Age; claiming earlier means a permanently reduced payment.
• Widow or widower at any age caring for the deceased's child under 16 or a disabled child.
• Unmarried children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school full-time).
• Dependent parents age 62 or older who received at least half their support from the deceased.

A surviving divorced spouse qualifies for benefits on the deceased's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. Remarriage after age 60 does not disqualify you.

What You Need Before Calling SSA

Gather these documents before your appointment or phone call:

• Certified death certificate
• Your Social Security number and the deceased's SSN
• Your birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (or divorce decree if you are a surviving former spouse)
• The deceased's most recent W-2 or self-employment tax return
• Your bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit

SSA may ask for additional records depending on your situation. Bring originals or certified copies — SSA does not accept photocopies.

The Application Process Step by Step

Step 1: Report the death to SSA. Most funeral homes report the death automatically. If yours did not, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to report it yourself. SSA stops the deceased's benefit payments once the death is recorded.

Step 2: Schedule a survivor benefits appointment. Call 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time) or walk into your local Social Security office. Phone wait times run 30 to 90 minutes depending on the time of day.

Step 3: Complete the application during your appointment. The claims specialist walks you through Form SSA-10 (Application for Widow's or Widower's Benefits) or the appropriate form for your category. They verify your documents and enter the claim into SSA's system.

Step 4: Receive a determination. SSA typically processes survivor claims within 30 to 60 days. Your first payment arrives as a direct deposit or check the month after approval.

The $255 Lump-Sum Death Payment

SSA pays a one-time $255 lump-sum death payment to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased at the time of death, or to a child eligible for benefits on the deceased's record. Apply for this during the same call as your survivor benefit claim.

What Changed After the GPO Repeal

The Social Security Fairness Act, signed January 5, 2025, repealed the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision for benefits payable from January 2024 forward. If you are the surviving spouse of a federal retiree under CSRS or FERS, you can now collect full Social Security survivor benefits without any reduction from your federal pension.

Two situations apply:

• You were already receiving reduced benefits. SSA automatically recalculated your payment and issued retroactive adjustments back to January 2024. Verify your current amount on my Social Security at ssa.gov.
• You never applied because GPO would have zeroed out your benefit. You must file a new claim by calling SSA. This is not automatic — SSA does not know you exist as a potential claimant unless you contact them.

If your spouse was a federal retiree, the Federal Retiree Death Benefits Guide walks through the complete sequence of federal claims — OPM survivor annuity, FEGLI, TSP, health insurance, and Social Security — so nothing falls through the cracks.

Timing Decisions That Affect Your Payment

Survivor benefits are available as early as age 60 (50 if disabled), but claiming before your Full Retirement Age permanently reduces the monthly amount. At age 60, you receive roughly 71.5% of the deceased's full benefit. The reduction shrinks as you get closer to FRA, and at FRA you receive 100%.

If you are also entitled to your own Social Security retirement benefit, you can claim one first and switch to the other later. A common strategy: claim the smaller benefit early and switch to the larger one at FRA. SSA's claims specialist can run the numbers during your appointment.

Working while receiving survivor benefits before FRA triggers the earnings test. In 2026, SSA withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above $24,480. In the year you reach FRA, the threshold rises to $65,160 with a $1-for-$3 withholding rate. Once you hit FRA, there is no earnings limit.

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