How to Collect a Deceased Spouse's Benefits From Social Security
- 1). Locate the Social Security statement provided to the deceased for the year before death to make sure he qualifies for Social Security benefits. This piece of paper has information you need for filing for Social Security benefits based on his work history. Special rules apply and benefits may be available if the deceased worked 1 1/2 years of the last three years before his death.
- 2). Check the requirements on the Social Security website to see that you qualify for benefits as a spouse of the deceased by age or in caring for his children. You must be at least age 60 if you have no minor children, but you may qualify at age 50 if you are disabled. You must be unmarried. You may marry after age 60 and still qualify for Social Security survivors benefits based on a spouse's work history.
- 3). Assemble the information you need to apply for benefits. Gather the death certificate, the Social Security statement if you have it, your birth certificate and Social Security number, the marriage certificate, birth certificates and Social Security numbers for your children, the deceased's W-2 forms or income tax return for the past year and your bank account information for direct deposit.
- 4). Contact the nearest Social Security office or telephone 800-772-1213 for questions or help. Make an appointment for filing for benefits to save delays. Take all the assembled papers and information with you.
- 5). File for survivors benefits as soon as possible, as benefits are not retroactive to the date of death, but are only retroactive to the date of filing, according to the Social Security website. A widow or widower can get partial benefits as early as age 60 or can choose to wait until full retirement age for greater benefits.
