The Social Security Death Benefit: $255 Explained (2026)

Social Security pays a one-time death benefit of $255 to a surviving spouse or dependent child. That amount has been fixed since the 1950s and does not come close to covering a funeral, which now averages more than $8,000. (Monthly survivor benefits are separate and can be far larger.)

A lot of families expect Social Security to help with the funeral bill, then are stunned to learn the one-time payment is just $255. It is real money and worth claiming — but it helps to know exactly what it is, who gets it, how to claim it, and what to do about the large gap it leaves behind.

What is the $255 death benefit?

When a person who worked and paid into Social Security passes away, Social Security pays a single, one-time lump sum of $255. Officially it is called the “lump-sum death payment.” It is meant as a small help toward final costs, and it is completely separate from any monthly benefits the family may receive.

One payment is made per death, to one eligible person — it is not multiplied among several family members.

Who qualifies for the $255

The payment goes to one person, in this order of priority:

• A surviving spouse who was living with the person who died; or
• A surviving spouse who was living apart but was already receiving Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record, or became eligible for them because of the death; or
• If there is no eligible spouse, a child who was receiving (or became eligible for) benefits on the deceased’s record in the month of death.

If there is no qualifying spouse or child, the $255 is not paid at all. That surprises people, but the benefit is specifically designed for a surviving spouse or dependent child — not for the estate or for other relatives.

How to claim it

The funeral home usually reports the death to Social Security, but the payment is not automatic — someone has to claim it. Here is how:

• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or visit a local office. You generally cannot apply online for this particular payment.
• You will complete Form SSA-8, the application for the lump-sum death payment.
• Apply within two years of the date of death, or the payment is forfeited.

One thing families miss: the final month’s check

Separate from the $255, there is a rule that catches many families off guard: a person is not entitled to their Social Security benefit for the month in which they die, even if they lived most of it. If a monthly payment for that month has already arrived, it usually has to be returned. If benefits come by direct deposit, the bank may reclaim that last payment automatically. It is not a penalty — just how the timing works — but it is worth knowing so it is not a shock.

Survivor benefits are different — and much bigger

Do not confuse the one-time $255 with monthly survivor benefits. These are ongoing payments that can matter far more to a family’s finances:

• A surviving spouse can usually claim as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled), or at any age if caring for the deceased’s child who is under 16.
• Children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school) may qualify.
• In some cases, a divorced spouse or dependent parents may qualify as well.

These payments are based on the deceased’s earnings record and can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars a month. They are a completely separate application, so when you call Social Security about the $255, ask about survivor benefits in the same conversation.

Why $255 hasn’t changed since 1954

The oddly specific number is a leftover from a 1950s formula. Congress effectively capped the death payment at $255 back then, and unlike monthly benefits it does not adjust for inflation each year. So a payment that once covered a real share of a funeral now barely covers the cost of the flowers.

What $255 actually covers today

With funerals now costing more than $8,000, the $255 covers only a tiny fraction of the bill. The rest lands on the family — often within days of the loss, at the worst possible moment to be worrying about money.

Other help that can stack on top

A few other benefits may apply alongside the $255: VA burial benefits for veterans, a small Medicaid burial-fund allowance for very low-income families, and sometimes an employer or union death benefit. Note that Medicare pays nothing toward a funeral. Even added together, these rarely cover the full cost of a service and burial.

Covering the real gap

Because $255 leaves such a large gap, many families carry a small burial insurance policy — a whole-life plan, usually $5,000 to $25,000, with a fixed payment that never rises. It pays your loved ones directly and quickly, so the full cost is handled and no one is left scrambling or reaching for a credit card. You can check your rate in about a minute, or call us at (866) 255-5775.

A common example

Say a husband passes away and his wife was living with him at the time. She calls Social Security, files Form SSA-8, and receives the one-time $255. In the same call, she asks about survivor benefits — and because she is over 60, she may be able to step up to a larger monthly survivor payment based on his earnings. The $255 barely dents the funeral bill, but the monthly survivor benefit could matter for years. Both are worth claiming, and many families only learn about the second one by asking.

Mistakes families make

• Assuming it is automatic. The funeral home reports the death, but no one gets the $255 unless they actually apply for it.
• Missing the two-year window. Wait too long and the payment is lost for good.
• Confusing it with survivor benefits. The $255 is a one-time payment; the monthly survivor benefits are separate, larger, and require their own application.
• Expecting it to cover the funeral. At $255, it never will — so plan for the rest another way.

How the numbers compare

Put side by side, the gap is stark. The Social Security death benefit is $255. A modest funeral with burial runs $8,000 to $10,000. Even after the VA and any small Medicaid burial allowance, most families are left covering thousands of dollars out of pocket. That is the gap a small burial policy is designed to close.

What to do first when someone passes away

When a loved one dies, Social Security is one of the first agencies to notify. In most cases the funeral home does this for you — just give them the deceased person’s Social Security number and confirm they will report the death. It is still smart to follow up yourself, because the $255 payment and any survivor benefits are not paid until someone actually applies.

A simple order of steps helps:

• Confirm the funeral home reported the death, or call Social Security to report it yourself.
• Ask about the $255 lump-sum death payment and complete Form SSA-8.
• In the same call, ask whether you or the children qualify for monthly survivor benefits.
• Do not spend or keep any benefit that arrives for the month of death — it usually must be returned.

Taking these steps early means nothing is left on the table and there are no surprises later.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Social Security death benefit?

It is a one-time payment of $255. The amount has been fixed since the 1950s and does not adjust for inflation, so its value has shrunk sharply over time.

Who gets the $255 death benefit?

A surviving spouse who lived with the person who died (or was receiving benefits on their record). If there is no eligible spouse, a dependent child who qualifies for benefits on the record.

How do I claim the Social Security death benefit?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office and complete Form SSA-8. You generally cannot apply online, and you must apply within two years of the death.

Does everyone get a Social Security death benefit?

No. There must be an eligible surviving spouse or dependent child. If there is no qualifying survivor, the $255 is not paid to anyone.

Can I get the $255 if we were living apart?

Possibly. A spouse living apart can still receive it if, in the month of death, they were already receiving benefits on the worker’s record or became eligible because of the death.

Are survivor benefits the same as the $255?

No. The $255 is a one-time payment. Monthly survivor benefits are separate, are based on the deceased’s earnings, and can be far larger — ask Social Security about them separately.

Do you have to return the last month’s Social Security check?

Often, yes. A person is not due their benefit for the month they die, so a payment already received for that month usually has to be returned; banks frequently reclaim a direct deposit automatically.