{"id":353884,"date":"2023-05-25T10:20:30","date_gmt":"2023-05-25T15:20:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/socialsecurity\/basics\/social-security-lump-sum-death-payment-overview.html"},"modified":"2026-03-11T12:38:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:38:21","slug":"social-security-lump-sum-death-payment-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/socialsecurity\/basics\/social-security-lump-sum-death-payment-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"Social Security Lump Sum Death Payment Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Social Security Lump Sum Death Payment Overview<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Jennifer Steinberg, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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When a loved one dies, Social Security may offer benefits to help with the family’s finances. One of these benefits is a one-time payment upon death. This lump-sum payment may help, but it is a fairly low amount as compared to other types of benefits.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

The immediate aftermath of a family member’s death is an emotionally difficult time, but it can also be financially challenging. If you can’t rely on a life insurance payout, you may wonder how you’ll have enough resources in the coming days.<\/p>\n

If someone is insured by Social Security<\/a> when they die, their surviving family members may be eligible for a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255. While $255 may not seem like much, it may help cover some of your family’s expenses.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Read on to learn about the lump-sum death benefit and how your family may be eligible for this benefit payment. A lawyer with Social Security experience<\/a> can help you understand all the benefits available after losing a loved one. You may also consult with a probate attorney<\/a> for other legal matters relating to your loss.<\/p>\n

What Is a Lump-Sum Death Payment?<\/h2>\n

The lump-sum death payment was once linked to burial expenses and is often still referred to as a “burial benefit.”<\/p>\n

In the early history of the Social Security system, survivors’ benefits weren’t part of the program. Instead, the program paid a lump-sum benefit to the surviving family of the deceased worker (wage earner) following the worker’s death before full retirement age<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The lump-sum death payment benefit has evolved through the years. The federal government added survivors’ benefits in 1939. But the government retained a limited version of the lump-sum death payment. This version paid the lump-sum death payment only when the wage earner did not have payable Social Security survivors’ benefits.<\/p>\n

The 1950s saw an expansion of eligibility to include payment of the lump-sum death payment together with survivor benefits. The purpose of this expansion was to ensure families of wage earners wouldn’t have to use survivors’ benefits to cover burial expenses.<\/p>\n

Title II of the Social Security Act, as amended, is the authority under which eligible individuals may apply for the lump-sum death payment. This law created federal Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI<\/a>). The OASDI trust fund paid out approximately $215 million<\/a> in lump-sum death payments in 2023. However, this represents only 0.02% of all OASDI benefit payments. Most deaths do not result in a payment.<\/p>\n

Eligibility for Payment<\/h2>\n

The lump-sum death payment is payable to certain family members of the wage earner. The family members must also meet certain eligibility requirements before payment.<\/p>\n

Surviving Spouse’s Eligibility<\/h3>\n

A surviving spouse living with the wage earner at the time of death is entitled to the one-time lump-sum death payment.<\/p>\n

If the surviving spouse lived apart from the wage earner at the time of death, the wage earner’s spouse may still be eligible for the spouse benefit. However, there are two conditions: either the wage earner’s spouse must have been receiving certain Social Security benefits on the wage earner’s earnings record or have become eligible for survivors’ benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Children’s Eligibility<\/h3>\n

If the wage earner did not have a surviving spouse, the lump-sum payment may be available to a wage earner’s dependent children, if any. But the children must receive or be eligible for monthly benefits under the wage earner’s record. If the wage earner has multiple eligible children<\/a> who are qualifying Social Security beneficiaries, the payment is divided evenly among them.<\/p>\n

Neither the Surviving Spouse nor Children Qualify<\/h3>\n

If the wage earner’s surviving spouse or children don’t receive benefits, they must apply for the lump-sum death payment within two years of the wage earner’s death. The wage earner’s family has the responsibility to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) as soon as possible after the wage earner’s death. To do so, the family may contact their local Social Security Office<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How To Apply for the $255 Lump-Sum Payment<\/h2>\n

You may be required to show the following documents to determine eligibility when applying for a lump-sum death payment:<\/p>\n