Q & A
Please provide details on the Social Security Lump-Sum Benefit
Full Question: What is the amount of the Social Security lump-sum benefit? Who is it payable to? Is it payable only if the worker was fully insured? And must you apply to receive the benefit? When should a person file this application? What proofs are required before survivors’ and retirement benefits can be paid?
Answer: A surviving spouse or child may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255 if they meet certain requirements. Generally, the lump-sum is paid to the surviving spouse who was living in the same household with the worker when he or she died. If there’s no eligible surviving spouse, the lump-sum can be paid to the worker’s child if, during the month the worker died, the child was already receiving benefits on the worker’s record or became eligible upon the worker’s death.
Source: Robert Powell, MarketWatch.com – January 31, 2014