Buranich Funeral Home, Inc. staff is trained to complete all the
necessary paperwork required by the Social Security Benefits
process.
How social security helps families
Social
Security survivors benefits help ease the financial burden that follows a
worker's death. Almost all children under age 18 will get monthly benefits if a
working parent dies. Other family members may be eligible for benefits, too.
Anyone who has worked and paid Social Security (FICA) taxes has been earning
survivors benefits for his or her family. The amount of work needed to pay
survivors benefits depends on the worker's age at the time of death. It may be
as little as one and half year for a young worker. No one needs more than 10
years.
Who can get survivors benefits
Here is a list
of family members who usually can get benefits: Widows and widowers age 60 or
older. Widows and widowers at any age if caring for the deceased children who
are under age 16 or disabled. Divorced wives and husbands age 60 or older, if
married to the deceased 10 years or more. Widows, widowers, divorced wives, and
divorced husbands age 50 or older, if they are disabled. Children up to age 18.
Children age 18 - 19, if they attend elementary school or high school full time.
Children over age 18, if they became disabled before age 22. The deceased
worker's parents age 62 or older, if they were being supported by the worker.
A special one-time payment
In addition to the
monthly benefits for family members, a one-time payment of $255 can be paid to a
spouse who was living with the worker at the time of death. If there is none, it
can be paid to: A spouse who is eligible for benefits. A child or children
eligible for benefits. This payment can not be made if there is no eligible
spouse or child. HOW TO APPLY FOR BENEFITS You can apply for benefits by
telephone or by going to any Social Security office. You may need some of the
documents shown in the Information Needed section below. But don't delay your
application because you don't have all the information. If you don't have a
document you need, Social Security can help you get it.
The
information that is needed
Your Social Security number and the
deceased worker's Social Security number. A death certificate. Proof of the
deceased worker's earnings for last year (W-2 forms or self-employment tax
return). Your birth certificate. A marriage certificate, if you are applying for
benefits as a widow, widower, divorced wife, or divorced husband. A divorce
decree, if you are applying for benefits as a divorced wife or husband.
Children's birth certificates and Social Security numbers, if applying for
children's benefits. Your checking or savings account information, if you want
direct deposit of your benefits. You will need to submit original documents or
copies certified by the issuing office. You can mail them or bring them to the
office. Social Security will make photocopies and return your documents.
For more information
You may contact the Social
Security Office to find out what benefits are available for your individual
circumstances, to change records, and to stop automatic deposits. Our local
Social Security office contact information is:
Social Security Office
100 S. Clinton St.
Syracuse, NY 13261
1-800-772-1213
For more information, write or visit
any Social Security office, or phone the toll-free number. You can speak to a
representative MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM. will file Form SSA-721 which
informs Social Security of a death. You need not order a certified copy of the
death certificate to send to your Social Security Administration
office.
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