Social Security Survivor Benefits 2025, Check Eligibility and Claim Process

Social Security survivor benefits are designed to provide ongoing monthly financial assistance to the families of workers who have died. These benefits support a variety of dependents, including widows, widowers, children, and in some cases, even the parents of the deceased.

The amount you receive depends on your relationship to the deceased, their work history, and the age at which you claim benefits. In some cases, survivors may also receive a lump-sum death benefit of $255.

Who Qualifies for Survivor Benefits?

To qualify for Social Security survivor benefits, you do not need to have worked yourself, unlike standard retirement or disability benefits. Instead, your eligibility is based on your connection to the deceased worker’s record.

Here are the main groups who may qualify:

• Widows and Widowers: Both disabled and non-disabled spouses may be eligible.
• Dependent Children: Must be under 18 years old, or 19 if still in high school.
• Parents: In certain cases, parents who were financially dependent on the deceased can qualify.

Survivors do not have to meet the standard 10-year work rule, as long as the deceased worker had earned enough credits during their lifetime.

Monthly Payment Amounts for Different Survivor Categories

The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines benefit amounts based on multiple factors, including the deceased worker’s earnings record and the survivor’s relationship to them.

Below are the average monthly survivor payments in 2025:

Beneficiary Type	Average Monthly Benefit
Non-disabled Widow(er)	$1,863.71
Disabled Widow(er)	$953.73
Dependent Child	$1,139.18
Widowed Parent (with children)	$1,314.10
Parent of Deceased Worker	$1,697.90

In addition to monthly payments, a one-time $255 lump sum may be issued to surviving spouses or children, though this amount hasn’t increased in decades.

Survivor Benefits Payment Schedule in 2025

For beneficiaries who began receiving survivor payments after April 30, 1997, the payment schedule is based on your birth date. Payments are issued on Wednesdays, depending on when in the month your birthday falls:

• 1st–10th of the month: Paid on the second Wednesday
• 11th–20th: Paid on the third Wednesday
• 21st–31st: Paid on the fourth Wednesday

For example:

• If you were born between the 11th and 20th, your July 2025 payment date is July 16
• If born between the 21st and 31st, your payment will arrive on July 23

If you started receiving benefits before May 1997, you are likely still paid on the third of each month.

How Payments Are Delivered and What to Expect

It usually takes up to three business days for payments to appear in your account. If your direct deposit hasn’t arrived within that window, first check with your bank or financial institution before contacting the SSA.

For those still receiving paper checks, a major change is coming.

Paper Checks Ending: Prepare for Electronic Payments by September 30, 2025

Starting September 30, 2025, the U.S. government will no longer issue paper checks for Social Security or any other federal benefits. All payments will be made electronically, either through:

• Direct deposit to a bank account, or
• A Direct Express® prepaid debit card, if no bank account is available

This change is part of the Electronic Payment Program, designed to reduce fraud, improve delivery times, and lower administrative costs.

If you haven’t already switched to electronic payments, the SSA strongly encourages you to update your banking information or enroll in the Direct Express program.

Important Considerations for Survivors

• If a child is receiving survivor benefits, a parent or guardian must manage the account
• Remarriage can affect eligibility, especially if it occurs before age 60 (or 50 for disabled spouses)
• You may qualify for benefits as a divorced spouse, depending on the length of the marriage and your current marital status

It’s always wise to contact the SSA or consult their website for details specific to your situation.

Survivor Benefits vs. Other Social Security Payments

Survivor benefits are separate from retirement, disability, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You cannot receive multiple full benefits simultaneously, but in most cases, the higher of two potential payments will be issued.

For example, if you’re eligible for both a retirement benefit and a survivor benefit, you’ll generally receive the larger of the two, not both.

FAQs

Q1. Who qualifies for Social Security survivor benefits?
Survivors can include widows, widowers, children under 18 (or 19 in high school), and sometimes dependent parents. Eligibility is based on your relationship to the deceased worker and their earnings history.

Q2. How are survivor benefits paid?
Payments are made monthly, typically on a Wednesday, depending on your birth date. For payments starting after 1997, they follow the Wednesday schedule; otherwise, they’re paid on the third of the month.

Q3. How much are the average survivor benefits?
Amounts vary. For example:

• Non-disabled widow(er): ~$1,864/month
• Disabled widow(er): ~$954/month
• Child of deceased: ~$1,139/month
• Parent of deceased: ~$1,698/month

Q4. When will paper checks be discontinued?
September 30, 2025 is the final date for paper checks. All future federal benefit payments will be electronic only.