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Social Security Benefits
Some of the deceased's family members may be able to receive Social Security benefits if the deceased person worked long enough under Social Security to qualify for benefits. You should get in touch with Social Security as soon as you can to make sure the family receives all of the benefits to which it may be entitled.
Please read the following information carefully to learn what benefits may be available.
A one-time payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased; or, if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased's record. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who is eligible for benefits on the deceased's record in the month of death.
Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including:
- A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled);
- A surviving spouse at any age who is caring for the deceased's child under age 16 or disabled;
- An unmarried child of the deceased who is younger than age 18 (or age 18 or 19 if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school); or age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22;
- Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support; and
- A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
The Social Security website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security's programs.
For more information about Social Security Benefits. Download the EN-05-10008 Here
FEMA Reimbursement
How to Apply
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number
Applications begin on April 12, 2021
844-684-6333 | TTY:
800-462-7585
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. FEMA's mission is to help people before, during and after disasters, and they are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
For more information about this program's eligibility requirements and application process, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
View information for consumers relating to the purchase of preneed funeral contracts including descriptions of the trust and insurance funding options available under state law. Complaints concerning perpetual care cemeteries or prepaid contracts should be directed to: Texas Department of Banking, 2601 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705; 1-877-276-5554 (toll free); www.dob.texas.gov