Click To Call In order to receive survivors' benefits from Social Security you have to meet certain criteria. The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg will evaluate your family's situation for FREE. The application process can be confusing and overwhelming. We make the process simple by filing all of your paperwork to finding and collecting your medical records. Without exception, we will assist you in completing the applications, questionnaires, and appeals, making sure that each document meets the proper requirements and standards.
print this page

Survivors' Benefits

When a person passes away and has worked and paid their Social Security taxes, specific members of their family may be eligible to receive survivors' benefits. To be eligible for benefits the deceased had to have worked and contributed to the Social Security system for up to 10 years, depending on the person's age at the time of death. The surviving family member(s) of very young workers may be eligible to receive benefits if the deceased worker was employed for 1½ years during the three years before his or her death.

Social Security will pay survivors' benefits to:

  • A widow or widower - can receive full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60.
  • A disabled widow or widower-as early as age 50.
  • A widow or widower of any age who takes care of the deceased's child who is younger than age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits.
  • Divorced spouses under certain conditions.
  • Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they attend elementary or secondary school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren or adopted children.
  • Children who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.
  • Dependent parents age 62 or older.


If you do not meet the above criteria, but believe you are entitled to a deceased person's benefits contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to discuss the particulars of your family's situation.


©2012 Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P. A., All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission Privacy Policy
Attorney web design by Foster Web Marketing, the best attorney website design solution on the Web offering search engine optimization for attorneys, lawyer website design, video for attorneys, and more.
Get SEO Tips from The Attorney Internet Marketing Blog

disability lawyer ft lauderdale, federal ssa attorney florida,miami odar, va compensation rates, federal ssa attorney georgia, disability lawyer atlanta