Social Security Death Benefit: The $255 Lump-Sum Payment and Who Gets It

The Social Security death benefit is a one-time payment of $255. It is paid to a surviving spouse who was living with the worker or, if there is no such spouse, to children who qualify for survivor benefits. You generally have to claim it within two years of the death. It will not cover a funeral, but monthly survivor benefits, which are a separate program, can be worth much more to a spouse or children.

What is the Social Security death benefit?

The "death benefit" is officially the lump-sum death payment. Federal law says that when a fully or currently insured worker dies, the payment is $255, or three times the worker's monthly benefit if that is smaller. In practice it is $255. The amount is written into the Social Security Act and into the regulations, so cost-of-living adjustments don't change it.

The worker must have earned enough credits through Social Security-covered work to be "fully or currently insured." If they didn't, no lump-sum payment is made.

Who qualifies for the $255?

The law sets an order of priority. Only one group is paid.

1. A spouse living in the same household. A widow or widower who was living with the worker at the time of death. The marriage must meet the rules in 20 CFR 404.345 or 404.346, and "same household" is defined in 404.347.
2. A spouse entitled to survivor benefits. If there is no such spouse, the payment goes to someone who is entitled to widow's, widower's, mother's or father's benefits on the worker's record. That can include a spouse who was living apart.
3. Children entitled to child's benefits. If nobody in the first two groups survives, the payment is split in equal shares among children entitled to benefits.

A child is generally entitled to benefits if they are unmarried and under 18, aged 18 or 19 and in full-time secondary school, or 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.

If nobody fits, nobody is paid. Siblings, parents, other relatives, friends and the estate are not eligible, even if they paid for the funeral. Social Security does not pay the funeral home either.

How do you apply, and what is the deadline?

You must apply within two years of the date of death. The one exception is a spouse who was already getting wife's or husband's benefits on that worker's record the month before the death, who doesn't need to file a separate application (20 CFR 404.392).

To claim, contact Social Security. The agency's public number is 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or you can make an appointment at a local office. A funeral director may report the death for you, but a report is not the same as a claim, so ask Social Security whether you need to apply. Have these ready:

• the worker's Social Security number and the date of death
• your own Social Security number
• proof of your relationship, such as a marriage certificate
• for a child, the child's Social Security number and birth certificate

Don't wait for probate. The payment doesn't go through the estate.

Is it taxable?

No. IRS Publication 915 says no part of the lump-sum death benefit is subject to tax. Monthly survivor benefits are different, and can be partly taxable depending on your total income.

How does the $255 compare with the cost of a funeral?

It doesn't come close. The amount is fixed in law, while funeral prices have risen, so the payment now covers only a small share of even a modest funeral. Our average funeral cost breakdown shows typical prices by item, and the calculator below lets you build an estimate of your own.

What about monthly survivor benefits?

These are separate from the $255, and you apply for them separately. They are paid monthly on the worker's earnings record to:

• a widow or widower aged 60 or older, or 50 or older if disabled, who meets the marriage and other rules in 20 CFR 404.335
• a surviving spouse of any age who is caring for the worker's child who is under 16 or disabled and entitled to child's benefits (20 CFR 404.339)
• children who meet the child's benefit rules above (20 CFR 404.350)

Social Security works out the amount from the worker's earnings record, and the rules about remarriage, your own retirement benefit and the age you claim all matter. Ask Social Security for an estimate before you decide when to claim. If you are a widow or widower with your own retirement benefit, the rules limit how the two combine, so talk to Social Security or a benefits adviser before you choose.

Where else can you find help paying for a funeral?

• VA burial allowance if the person was a veteran. For a non-service-connected death on or after October 1, 2026, the VA page lists $1,032 for burial and $1,032 for a plot (earlier deaths have different amounts), and up to $2,000 for a service-connected death on or after September 11, 2001. See our VA burial allowance guide.
• Life insurance, the person's bank account or the estate. See how to pay for a funeral and paying the funeral bill from the estate.
• State and county programs. These vary and usually have income limits. Our government funeral help guide lists what to ask your local social services office.
• Lower-cost choices. Get the funeral home's price list and compare. See the General Price List guide.

What to do next

1. Find out whether you are the spouse or child who is eligible, and call Social Security within the two-year window. Do it soon, so you don't forget.
2. Ask Social Security about monthly survivor benefits at the same time.
3. Use our guide to notifying government agencies after a death to cover the other agencies.
4. Keep the $255 separate from the funeral bill until you know what else is coming in.