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Social Security Lump Sum Death Payment

undefined Social Security Lump Sum Death Payment?


Social Security's Lump Sum Death Payment (LSDP) is federally funded and managed by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). A surviving spouse or child may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255 if they meet certain requirements.

Social Security's Lump Sum Death Payment (LSDP) is federally funded and managed by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). A surviving spouse or child may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255 if they meet certain requirements.

undefined Social Security Lump Sum Death Payment?


To be eligible for this payment, the surviving spouse must be living in the same household with the worker when he or she died. If they were living apart, the surviving spouse can still receive the lump-sum if, during the month the worker died, the spouse met one of the following requirements:

If there's no eligible surviving spouse, the lump-sum can be paid to the worker's child (or children) if, during the month the worker died, the child met one of the following requirements:

undefined Social Security Lump Sum Death Payment?


If you would like to find out if you are eligible for any of Social Security benefit programs, take SSA’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool.

Once you have completed the eligibility screening questionnaire, you will be provided with a list of benefits for which you may be eligible. Print this page for your records before going to the application site.

Direct Payment if eligible for Survivors benefits

undefined Social Security Lump Sum Death Payment?


The eligible surviving spouse or child must apply for this payment within two years of the date of death.

Widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses cannot apply online for survivor’s benefits. For application information, please visit the How To Apply page.


Visit SSA's Publications Page for detailed information about SSA programs and policies.

You may also contact Social Security by phone at:
1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)


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There is no specific tribal eligibility.
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