To qualify for this benefit the surviving spouse must be living in the same household with the worker when he or she died. If they were living apart, the surviving spouse can still receive the lump-sum if, during the month the worker died, he or she:

• was already receiving benefits on the worker’s record; or
• became eligible for benefits upon the worker’s death

If there’s no eligible surviving spouse, the lump-sum can be paid to the worker’s child (or children) if, during the month the worker died, the child:

• was already receiving benefits on the worker’s record; or
• became eligible for benefits upon the worker’s death

If you would like to find out if you may be eligible for any of the benefits SSA administers, take SSA’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool questionnaire.

Once you have completed the eligibility screening questionnaire, you will be provided with a list of benefits for which you may be eligible. Print this page for your records before going to the application site.