Social Security

The Social Security Administration should be notified as soon as possible after a person dies. The staff at Bauer Family Funeral Homes will take care of this for you by submitting Form 721 to the local Social Security office.

One-Time Benefits

A one-time payment of $255.00 can be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased; or if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased's record. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who is eligible for benefits on the deceased's record in the month of death.

Eligibility for Monthly Benefits

• A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled).
• A surviving spouse at any age who is caring for the deceased's child under the age of 16 or disabled.
• An unmarried child of the deceased who is:
  • Younger than age 18 (or age 18 or 19 if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school).
  • Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.
• Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support.
• A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.

Please note that Social Security benefits are paid on a "following month basis". If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefit received for the month of death or any later months. For example, if the person dies in July, you must return the benefit paid in August.

*Social Security Information courtesy of www.socialsecurity.gov, SSA Publication No. 05-10008.