$1566 Monthly Social Security Survivor Payments Begin, Check If You’re Getting Paid in July 2025

These benefits are a critical source of income for millions of widows, widowers, dependent children, and parents of deceased workers who contributed to the Social Security system. Alongside the July payments, the SSA is preparing for a major change: all survivors must transition to electronic payments by September 30, 2025.

Here’s everything you need to know about eligibility, payment dates, benefit amounts, and the upcoming paper check phase-out.

What Are Social Security Survivor Benefits?

Social Security survivor benefits are monthly payments provided to certain family members of deceased workers who earned enough work credits under the Social Security program.

Unlike retirement benefits, recipients don’t need their own work history to qualify. Survivor benefits are designed to replace lost income and support the household financially after a worker’s death.

Who Can Receive Survivor Benefits?

The SSA provides survivor benefits to a range of eligible family members, including:

• Widows or widowers (aged 60 or older, or 50 if disabled)
• Widowed parents caring for a child under age 16
• Unmarried children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in school)
• Disabled children of any age (if the disability began before age 22)
• Dependent parents aged 62 or older (if they relied on the deceased for at least half their support)

In addition to monthly payments, survivors may receive a one-time $255 death benefit.

July 2025 Survivor Benefit Payment Dates

Social Security does not pay all survivors on the same date. Instead, the birthdate of the primary recipient determines the monthly payment date. In July 2025, survivor benefits will be issued on the following Wednesdays:

Birth Date Range	Payment Date
1st – 10th	July 9, 2025
11th – 20th	July 16, 2025
21st – 31st	July 23, 2025

Important: It may take 1–3 business days for your funds to appear in your bank account, depending on your financial institution.

Average Monthly Survivor Benefits in 2025

The SSA released updated payment data in May 2025, detailing the average benefit amounts by recipient category:

Recipient Type	Average Monthly Benefit
All survivors	$1,566.66
Children of deceased workers	$1,139.18
Widowed mothers/fathers with children	$1,314.10
Nondisabled widow(er)s (alone)	$1,863.71
Disabled widow(er)s	$953.73
Parents of deceased workers	$1,697.90

These amounts reflect the SSA’s commitment to supporting families in financial distress, particularly during times of grief and rising costs of living.

Mandatory Switch to Electronic Payments by September 30

Starting September 30, 2025, the SSA will discontinue paper checks for all Social Security benefits, including survivor benefits.

What You Must Do:

To avoid payment delays or disruptions, you must transition to an electronic payment method by the deadline:

• Set up direct deposit through your bank or credit union
• Or enroll in the Direct Express® Debit Mastercard® program
• Update your banking details in your mySocialSecurity account
• Contact SSA if you need help completing the setup

This transition ensures faster payments, reduces the risk of mail fraud, and improves overall security and reliability.

Why Survivor Benefits Are So Important

For many families, survivor benefits are the only consistent source of income after the death of a primary earner. The funds often cover:

• Rent and utility bills
• Groceries and household needs
• Schooling or childcare
• Medical and transportation costs

The monthly payments provide financial stability, allowing surviving family members to maintain their homes, continue education, and access healthcare during a difficult time.

Staying Prepared: How to Ensure Your Payment Arrives

To avoid any interruptions in your benefit delivery:

• Confirm your eligibility and application status with the SSA
• Double-check your banking information ahead of the September 30 deadline
• Use your mySocialSecurity online account to manage and track updates
• Monitor your payment date based on your birth date
• Contact the SSA promptly if you notice any issues with your deposit

If you’re switching from paper checks, it’s recommended to enroll in direct deposit now to ensure smooth payment processing ahead of the mandatory cutoff.

What If You Miss a Payment or Have Questions?

If your July 2025 survivor benefit doesn’t arrive as expected:

• Check your bank account for pending deposits
• Allow 1–3 business days after the scheduled payment date
• Call your local SSA office or use the SSA helpline to verify your case and payment status
• Use Direct Express customer service if you’re enrolled in that option

Don’t delay—SSA recommends contacting them as soon as possible if payments are missing or incorrect.

Final Thoughts: Survivor Benefits Honor a Lifetime of Work

The Social Security survivor benefit program ensures that the efforts and contributions of workers continue to support their loved ones after they’re gone. Whether you’re a child, spouse, or elderly parent, these payments offer both financial relief and emotional reassurance.

With $1,566 average benefits going out in July 2025, this is the time for all recipients to:

• Confirm their eligibility
• Track their payment date
• Transition to electronic payments before September 30, 2025

Doing so guarantees that your benefits remain accessible, secure, and uninterrupted when you need them most.

FAQs

Q1. Who qualifies for Social Security survivor benefits?
Eligible recipients include widows, widowers, dependent children, and sometimes elderly parents of deceased workers who paid into Social Security.

Q2. When will I receive my July 2025 survivor benefit?

• July 9: Birthdays between 1st–10th
• July 16: Birthdays between 11th–20th
• July 23: Birthdays between 21st–31st

Q3. Will paper checks still be issued after September 2025?
No. All survivor benefits must be received via direct deposit or Direct Express® Debit Mastercard® after September 30, 2025.