SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

 

The following information is routinely distributed to the family of the deceased during the arrangement conference.  At the time of death, Kowalski Funeral Home will always notify Social Security of the deceased name, social security number, date of birth, date of death, the name, address and phone number of the surviving spouse

 

 

Eligibility

 

The deceased worker must have credit for work covered by Social Security, ranging from 1 ½ to 10 years, depending on his or her age at death.  The following may receive monthly benefits:

 

  • A widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled) or at any age if caring for an entitled child who is under16 or disabled.
  • A divorced widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled) if the marriage lasted 10 years, or is caring for   an entitled child who is 16 or disabled
  • Unmarried children up to 18 (19 if they are attending a primary or secondary school full time)
  • Children who were disabled before reaching 22, as long as they remained disabled
  • Dependent parent or parents 62 or older     

 

Lump-Sum Death Payment

 

A one time payment of $ 255.00 is paid in addition to the monthly cash benefits described above.  The lump-sum death payment is paid in the following priority order:

 

1.  A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as the

      Deceased person at the time of death

 

2.  A surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits for

      the month of death

 

3.  A child or children eligible for or entitled to benefits

      for the month of death

 

Applying for Benefits

 

You must apply in order to receive benefits.  You may apply at any Social Security office, or if you wish, you may apply by telephone.  Please dial the toll free number 1-800-772-1213 and you will be able to schedule an appointment or arrange for the local Social Security office to take your claim by telephone.  Representatives at this toll free number are available weekdays from 7AM to 7PM.  You may also visit the Social Security’s website at www.socialsecurity.gov. 

 

If you are already getting benefits as a wife or husband on your spouse’s record when he or she dies, in many situations, Social Security will change your payments to survivors benefits once the death is reported.  Benefits for any children will also automatically be changed to survivors benefits after the death is reported to Social Security.

 

Information Needed

  • Your Social Security number and the deceased worker’s Social Security number
  • A death certificate
  • Proof of the deceased worker’s earnings for the last year (W-2 forms or self-employment tax return)
  • Your birth certificate
  • A marriage certificate, if you are applying for benefits as a widow, widower, divorced wife or divorced husband
  • A divorce decree, if you are applying for benefits as a divorced wife or husband
  • Children’s birth certificate and Social Security numbers, if applying for children’s benefits
  • Your checking or savings account information, if you want direct deposit of your benefits

 

You will need to submit original documents or copies certified by the issuing office.  You can mail or bring them to the Social Security office.  Social Security will make photocopies and return you documents.

 

 

  Combining Quality and Cost is just One of the Things

Teresa V. Kowalski Does Best

 

Kowalski Funeral Home

515 Roselle Street, Linden, New Jersey 07036

Teresa V. Kowalski, Executive Director

NJ License No. 3489

908-486-7111 (Phone)     908-925-0933 (Fax)

E-mail:  TVKOwalski@aol.com