Social Security provides a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255. It's a small amount — but it's yours, and it won't come to you unless you claim it.
Most families miss it entirely. Not because they don't qualify, but because no one tells them it exists.
Who can receive it:
The payment goes to the surviving spouse if they were living with the deceased at the time of death. In some cases it goes to a surviving spouse or child who was already receiving benefits on the deceased's record. It does not go to the estate.
Why you have to ask:
Social Security does not automatically send this payment. You must apply — and you must do so within two years of the death. After that, the window closes permanently. Source: Social Security Administration, ssa.gov/benefits/survivors.
How to claim it:
Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office. You'll need the deceased's Social Security number, the death certificate, and your own identification.
While you're on the phone:
Ask about survivor benefits at the same time. If the deceased was receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, the surviving spouse may be eligible for ongoing monthly survivor benefits — a separate and potentially much larger benefit that is also not automatic. This conversation is worth having before you hang up.