What is a lump sum death payment from social security

WHEREAS, there have been drastic increases in burial and funeral expenses since 1952 when the Social Security Lump Sum Death Benefit ("LSDB") was last increased; and

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Who qualifies for lump
Why does Social Security only pay $255 one time death benefit?
What is a Social Security lump
Is there a death payment from Social Security?

WHEREAS, the Lump Sum Death Benefit's value has been severely diminished by the rate of inflation over a forty-eight (48) year period; and

WHEREAS, the LSDB was further diminished by a 1981 legislative amendment to the Social Security Act limiting payment of this benefit to a spouse living with the worker at the time of death or a spouse or her child receiving benefits under the worker's record; and

WHEREAS, the 1981 legislative amendment eliminated payment of the LSDB directly to a funeral home regardless of who the deceased worker lived with; and

WHEREAS, in many instances, under the current law, the LSDB is no longer paid; and

WHEREAS, the NAACP recognizes the dire financial constraints many families endure when a loved one dies; and

WHEREAS, there is no legitimate argument anyone can make to justify the current inadequate LSDB.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP call upon the President of the United States, the Social Security Administration and the United States Congress to initiate a unified effort to immediately enact legislation increasing the LSDB to at least $2,000, as well as amending the current law to include language authorizing benefit payment to a funeral director

The return home from combat can often leave servicemembers feeling out of place with the most important people in their lives - their families.

"In deployment, Soldiers grow accustomed to a new lifestyle and a new 'family' - those buddies that bond together to defend each other," said Maj. Ken Williams, 14th Military Police Brigade chaplain. "This lifestyle change is prolonged and becomes familiar, i.e., the new normal."

The families also change while the Soldier is deployed.

"The family is a system," Williams said. "When one family member is absent, the whole system changes. All members of the family adapt to a new 'normal' way of life."

When the servicemember returns, the family may feel uncomfortable with each other, and the servicemember may withdraw from the family.

Army National Guard: State Active Duty

Benefit Fact Sheet

Summary

A one-time payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving Spouse of a deceased Service member if they were living with the deceased, or, if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased Service Member's record. If there is no surviving Spouse, the payment is made to Children who are eligible for benefits on the deceased's record in the month of death. If no Spouse or Child meeting these requirements exists, the lump-sum death payment will not be paid.

Eligibility

The deceased Service member must have been either fully insured or currently insured under the Social Security system. Generally, the benefit is paid only to eligible survivors who were already receiving or are eligible to receive immediate monthly benefits derived from the earnings record of the deceased. Former Spouses are not eligible for this benefit. The benefit may not be paid directly to a funeral home. Military duty status at time of death is not a factor in determining eligibility.

Benefit Highlights

Only one beneficiary may receive the Lump Sum Death Benefit. If more than one beneficiary is eligible, such as in the case of multiple eligible Children, the Children would split the $255 lump sum. The current amount of

$255 has not changed since its inception and is not indexed for inflation. Application is made by calling 1-800-772-1213. (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or by visiting your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you spend waiting to apply.

You can help by being ready to:

Provide any needed documents; and
Answer the questions listed below.

Documents you may need to provide

You may be asked to provide documents to prove eligibility, such as:

A 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)
U.S. military discharge paper(s) if you had military service before 1968
W-2 forms(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year; and
A death certificate for the deceased Service member.

Important: Photocopies of W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns are accepted, but only the original of most other documents, such as your birth certificate are accepted. All documents will be returned to you.

Do not delay applying for benefits because you do not have all the documents. The Social Security Office will help you get them.

Additional Information

For more information, please visit the Social Security Lump Sum Death Benefit webpage maintained by the Social Security Administration:
https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html

For information required when applying for the Lump-Sum Death Benefit:
https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-8.html

Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division:
https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Casualty%20and%20Mortuary%20Affairs%20Operations%20Division%20(CMAOD)

Document Review Date: 06 June 2022

Who qualifies for lump

Who gets a Social Security death benefit? Only the widow, widower or child of a Social Security beneficiary can collect the $255 death benefit, also known as a lump-sum death payment.

The cap of $255 on the LSDB was introduced by law in 1954. Two years prior to this legislative change, the maximum PIA payable under Social Security had reached the $85 level. Thus 3 X the PIA for these maximum cases would yield a LSDB of $255.

What is 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.

Your spouse, children, and parents could be eligible for benefits based on your earnings. You may receive survivors benefits when a family member dies. You and your family could be eligible for benefits based on the earnings of a worker who died. The deceased person must have worked long enough to qualify for benefits.