Get APPLICATION FOR SURVIVORS BENEFITS - Socialsecurity

It takes 30 to 60 days for survivors benefits payments to start after they are approved, according to the agency's website.

A surviving spouse can collect 100 percent of the late spouse's benefit if the survivor has reached full retirement age, but the amount will be lower if the deceased spouse claimed benefits before he or she reached full retirement age.

A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled) is eligible for Social Security survivor benefits provided the couple was married at least nine months. There is no age limit for a widow or widower caring for dependent children under age 16.

We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as: Proof of the worker's death; Birth certificate or other proof of birth; Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States [More Info];

En español | Only the widow, widower or child of a Social Security beneficiary can collect the $255 death benefit. Priority goes to a surviving spouse if any of the following apply: The widow or widower was living with the deceased at the time of death.

You can apply by phone at 800-772-1213 or by visiting your local Social Security office. You should do so as soon as possible after the death is reported to Social Security; survivor benefits are dated from the time you apply and are not retroactive to the time of death.

Survivors BenefitsYou cannot report a death or apply for survivors' benefits online. If you need to report a death or apply for survivors' benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 AM and 7 PM Monday through Friday.

Widows and widowers Generally, spouses and ex-spouses become eligible for survivor benefits at age 60 50 if they are disabled provided they do not remarry before that age. These benefits are payable for life unless the spouse begins collecting a retirement benefit that is greater than the survivor benefit.

Social Security allows you to claim both a retirement and a survivor benefit at the same time, but the two won't be added together to produce a bigger payment; you will receive the higher of the two amounts. ... (Full retirement age, or FRA, is currently 66 and gradually rising to 67 over the next several years).

Generally, spouses and ex-spouses become eligible for survivor benefits at age 60 50 if they are disabled provided they do not remarry before that age. These benefits are payable for life unless the spouse begins collecting a retirement benefit that is greater than the survivor benefit.