Will Social Security Pay for Cremation? FAQs + Family Benefits 

Losing someone brings emotional pain and financial stress. Many families search for help covering cremation costs. Social Security offers a death benefit that can be useful, but most people don't understand how it works.

Social Security pays a one-time $255 lump-sum death benefit. This modest payment helps with funeral or cremation expenses. Only eligible family members can qualify for this benefit.

This guide explains Social Security death benefits, who qualifies, how to apply and what the payment actually covers.

Need answers to questions like “Will Social Security pay for cremation?” or help with planning cremation costs? Our team at After is here to guide you through your options with transparency, care and zero pressure. Call us 24/7 at 1-844-717-5170.

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The Short Answer: Will Social Security Pay for Cremation?

Social Security will not pay all the expenses for a cremation in most cases. Instead, they provide a $255 lump-sum death payment that families can use toward cremation costs. It only helps reduce the financial burden.

The payment goes to eligible surviving spouses or dependent children. You must apply for this benefit. Social Security doesn't automatically send death payments to families.

The lump-sum death payment was established in 1935 and capped in 1954. It hasn't been adjusted since, which explains why it seems small compared to modern cremation costs. Still, every bit helps when families face unexpected expenses.

Direct cremation is much more affordable with After’s low pricing. In some locations, the Social Security benefit covers about 25% of After's base package cost. Combined with After's transparent pricing, families can plan cremation services affordably.

Social Security Lump-Sum Death Benefit: What You Get

The lump-sum death benefit provides a one-time $255 payment. Social Security sends this payment to help with funeral or cremation expenses after someone dies.

This benefit has existed since 1935. The government capped the payment amount in 1954. No adjustments have been made since then, even as funeral costs have increased dramatically.

Key facts about the lump-sum benefit:

• One-time payment of exactly $255
• Available to qualifying family members only
• Must be claimed within two years of death
• Not automatically paid, requires application
• Can be used for any funeral or cremation expenses

The payment goes directly to the qualifying family member, not to funeral homes. You receive the money and decide how to use it toward end-of-life expenses.

Who Qualifies for the Social Security Death Benefit?

Not everyone qualifies for Social Security death benefits. The program has specific eligibility requirements based on your relationship to the deceased.

You qualify if you are:

• The surviving spouse who lived with the deceased at the time of death
• A surviving spouse who lived apart but was receiving Social Security benefits on the deceased's record
• A surviving spouse who became eligible for Social Security benefits when the person died
• A dependent child who was eligible for benefits on the deceased's record in the month of death (if no surviving spouse exists)

The deceased must have earned enough Social Security credits during their lifetime. Workers earn one credit for every three months of full-time work. Most people need 40 credits (10 years of work) to be considered “fully insured” and qualify for benefits.

Some exceptions exist. Surviving spouses with dependent children may receive benefits even if the deceased earned only six credits in the three years before death.

How to Apply for Social Security Death Benefits

Social Security requires families to actively apply for death benefits. The process involves several steps and specific documentation.

Start by notifying Social Security immediately when death occurs. This stops benefit payments to the deceased. Depositing benefits paid after death can cause major delays in processing survivor benefits.

Follow these steps to apply:

Contact Social Security directly. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person. The national number operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call early in the day or later in the week for shorter wait times.

Gather required documents. You need several pieces of information to process your application. Collect these before contacting Social Security to speed up the process.

Required documentation includes:

• The deceased's Social Security number
• Your Social Security number
• Certified death certificate
• Your birth certificate
• The deceased's most recent W-2 or self-employment tax return
• Marriage certificate or divorce papers (for widow/widower applications)
• Birth certificates and Social Security numbers for any dependent children

Submit your application promptly. Delays in applying may delay payment. If you're not currently receiving Social Security benefits, late applications may result in payments calculated from your application date rather than the death date.

After's care specialists can help you get death certificates during the cremation arrangement process.

Social Security Survivor Benefits vs. Death Benefits

Social Security offers two different types of benefits after death. Understanding the difference helps families access all available support.

Death benefits provide a one-time $255 payment to help cover immediate funeral or cremation costs. This payment happens once and requires an application.

Survivor benefits provide ongoing monthly payments to eligible family members. These benefits replace lost income over time rather than covering funeral costs directly.

Who Qualifies for Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefits serve different family members than death benefits. Eligibility depends on age, relationship and circumstances.

You may qualify for monthly survivor benefits if you are:

• A surviving spouse age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled)
• A surviving spouse of any age caring for dependent children under 16 or disabled children
• An unmarried child under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school full-time)
• An adult child age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22
• A dependent parent age 62 or older who relied on the deceased for at least half their support

In special circumstances, stepchildren, grandchildren, step-grandchildren or adopted children may also qualify.

How Social Security Calculates Survivor Benefits

Social Security figures out each case separately. The amount depends on how much the person earned while working. It also depends on your relationship to them.

Survivors get between 71.5% and 100% of the person's benefit. The exact amount depends on when you start getting benefits and your relationship.

These monthly payments replace lost household income. They don't directly pay for cremation. They do ease money stress over time.

SSI Burial Funds: Additional Support for Low-Income Families

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients can set aside money for burial expenses without affecting their benefits. This provides additional financial planning options.

You and your spouse can each set aside up to $1,500 for burial expenses. In most cases, this money doesn't count as a resource for SSI eligibility.

How to Set Up an SSI Burial Fund

Any account designated as a burial fund must clearly show that the money is set aside for burial expenses. You can do this two ways.

Option 1: Title the account as a burial fund. Open a separate account specifically labeled for burial expenses.

Option 2: Sign a statement documenting the burial fund.

Your statement must include:

• How much has been set aside for burial expenses
• Whose burial the money covers
• How the money has been set aside
• The date you first designated the money for burial expenses

If you own life insurance policies or have other burial arrangements beyond your $1,500 burial fund, some money may count toward SSI resource limits. The standard limits are $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.

Common Mistakes When Applying for Death Benefits

Families often make preventable errors when applying for Social Security benefits. Avoiding these mistakes speeds up the process and prevents payment delays.

Not Notifying Social Security Immediately

Contact Social Security as soon as death occurs. Delays in notification can result in continued benefit payments to the deceased. Depositing these payments causes major processing delays for survivor benefits.

Missing the Two-Year Deadline

You must apply for the $255 death benefit within two years of death. Missing this deadline means losing the benefit entirely. Apply as soon as possible after gathering the required documents.

Failing to Gather Complete Documentation

Incomplete applications delay processing. Collect all required documents before contacting Social Security. This includes death certificates, Social Security numbers, birth certificates and marriage documents.

At After, we provide death certificates as part of the cremation process. Let our care specialists know you need certificates for benefit applications.

Not Exploring All Available Benefits

Many families apply only for the death benefit without checking survivor benefit eligibility. Review all programs you might qualify for, including ongoing monthly survivor benefits and SSI burial funds.

Additional Resources

We’ve also published a list of helpful info about who pays for cremation if no money is available from the estate.

You might even qualify for financial assistance from a charity to cover funeral costs. Help is available if you know where to look. 

How After Makes Cremation Affordable With Social Security Benefits

Many families ask, "Will Social Security pay for cremation?" when facing end-of-life costs. The truth is, Social Security's $255 benefit covers only part of the cost.

That's why After designed clear, affordable cremation packages. Our prices work with modest government benefits. Our flat-rate pricing has no hidden fees. Families can plan a dignified cremation without financial stress.

For those who need payment help, LilyPay offers plans across 3 to 6 months. LilyPay also supports crowdfunding through Community Gardens. This helps families honor their loved ones affordably while using every available resource, including Social Security benefits.

Do you have questions about cremation costs and available benefits? Not sure whether cremation at After is the right path? Our team is here to guide you through your options with transparency, care and zero pressure. Call us 24/7 at 1-844-717-5170.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will Social Security Pay for Cremation?

Social Security will pay $255 toward cremation costs through the lump-sum death benefit if you qualify. This one-time payment doesn't cover full cremation expenses, but it helps reduce costs. 

How Much Does Social Security Pay When Someone Dies?

Social Security pays exactly $255 as a one-time lump-sum death benefit. This amount hasn't changed since 1954. Eligible survivors may also qualify for ongoing monthly survivor benefits, which vary based on the deceased's earnings record and the survivor's relationship to them.

Who Gets the $255 Social Security Death Benefit?

The surviving spouse gets the $255 death benefit if they lived with the deceased or were receiving Social Security benefits on their record. If no surviving spouse exists, an eligible dependent child can receive the payment.

How Long Does It Take to Receive Social Security Death Benefits?

It takes 2 to 3 months to receive Social Security death benefits in most cases. Processing time depends on how quickly you submit complete documentation. Apply immediately after death to avoid delays. Late applications may result in payments based on application date rather than death date.

Can I Use Social Security Benefits for Direct Cremation?

Yes, you can use the $255 Social Security death benefit for direct cremation expenses. The payment covers about 25% of After's base cremation package. You receive the money directly and decide how to apply it toward cremation costs.

What's the Difference Between Death Benefits and Survivor Benefits?

The difference is that death benefits provide a one-time $255 payment to help with funeral costs. Survivor benefits provide ongoing monthly payments to replace lost income. Both programs serve different purposes and have separate eligibility requirements.

Do I Need to Apply for Social Security Death Benefits?

Yes, you must actively apply for Social Security death benefits. Social Security doesn't automatically send payments when someone dies. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office to begin the application process.