Social Security Information

 Contact phone numbers:         1-800-772-1213  -or-  (918) 641-2400

 Tulsa Office location:

4750 South Garnett Road

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146

 THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS MADE AVAILABLE BY THE

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION VIA THEIR WEBSITE, www.socialsecurity.gov.

GENERAL INFORMATION

 THE $255 LUMP SUM PAYMENT

A lump-sum death benefit of $255 may be paid upon the death of a person who has worked long enough to be insured under the Social Security program.  The lump-sum death benefit can be paid upon the death of the insured person even if they were not receiving retirement or disability benefits at the time of death.

 This payment is limited to a spouse who was living with the worker at the time of death or to a spouse or a child who, in the month of death, is eligible for a Social Security benefit based on the worker's record.  If no spouse or child meeting these requirements exists, then the lump sum death payment will not be paid. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SURVIVORS’ BENEFITS?

Social Security survivors’ benefits can be paid to:

1)    A widow/widower -- full benefits at full retirement age (currently age 65), or reduced benefits as early as age 60.

 2)    A disabled widow/widower -- as early as age 50.

 3)    A widow/widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits.

 4)    Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time.  Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children.

 5)    Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.

 6)    Dependent parents age 62 or older.

INFORMATION YOU’LL NEED WHEN APPLYING

 You can help by being ready to answer the following questions and having as many of the needed documents as possible.  Do not delay filing your claim just because you do not have all the documents.   The Social Security Administration will help you get them.

 When you apply for the death benefit, have the following available:

1)           Your name and social security number;

 2)           The deceased worker's name, gender, date of birth and social security number;

 3)           The deceased worker's date and place of death;

 4)           Whether the deceased worker ever filed for Social Security benefits, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income (if so, whose Social Security record did he or she apply);

 5)           Whether the deceased worker was unable to work because of illnesses, injuries or conditions at any time during the 14 months before his or her death (if "Yes," when did he or she become unable to work)

 6)           Whether the deceased worker was ever in the active military service (if "Yes," have the dates of his or her service)

7)           Whether the deceased worker worked for the railroad industry for 7 years or more;

 8)           Whether the deceased worker earned social security credits under another country's social security system;

 9)           The names, dates of birth (or age) and social security numbers (if known) of any of the deceased worker's former spouses and the dates of the marriages and how and when they ended;

10)     The names of any of the deceased worker's unmarried children under 18, 18-19 and in secondary school or         disabled prior to age 22;

 11)     The amount of the deceased worker's earnings in the year of death and the preceding year;

 12)     Whether the deceased worker had a parent who was dependent on the worker for 1/2 of his or her support at          the time of the worker's death;

 13)     Whether the deceased worker and surviving spouse were living together at the time of death.

 If you are the surviving spouse, the Social Security Administration will also ask:

1)           Whether you have been unable to work because of illnesses, injuries or conditions at any time within the past 14 months (if "Yes," when did you become unable to work);

2)           Whether you or anyone else ever filed for Social Security benefits, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income on your behalf (if so, have the information on whose Social Security record you applied);

3)           The names, dates of birth (or age) and social security numbers (if known) of any of your former spouses and the dates of the marriages and how and when they ended.

If you are not the surviving spouse, the Social Security Administration will also ask for the surviving spouse's name and address.

You also should bring along your checkbook or other papers that show your account number at a bank, credit union or other financial institution so you can sign up for Direct Deposit, and avoid worries about lost or stolen checks and mail delays.

REPORTING A DEATH

Although our funeral home does report deaths to the Social Security Administration, you should also report the death to a service representative by calling the toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.  Whenever you call, have your Social Security number handy.  If you're deaf or hard of hearing, call the toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.

If you're getting disability or retirement benefits on your spouse's record when he or she dies, the Social Security Administration will change your payments to survivors’ benefits.

If you're getting benefits on your own record, apply for survivors’ benefits.  Call or visit the nearest Social Security Administration office to find out if you can get more money as a widow or widower.

Benefits for your children will be changed automatically to survivors’ benefits after the death is reported to the Social Security Administration.

HOW TO APPLY

Call the toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the toll-free "TTY" number, 1-800-325-0778.

Call or visit your local Social Security Office.

Visit the Social Security Administration on the web at: www.socialsecurity.gov.

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