Social Security survivor benefits (monthly payments to the family of a worker who died): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
Social Security survivor benefits pay monthly to the widow or widower, ex-spouse, children and dependent parents of a person who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died, plus a one-time $255 death payment. They are not means-tested. Apply to the Social Security Administration by phone or online.
What Social Security survivor benefits is, in one paragraph
Social Security survivor benefits are monthly payments from the Social Security Administration to the family of a person who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died. A widow or widower, an ex-spouse married at least 10 years, unmarried children, adult children disabled before 22, and dependent parents can qualify, each on the deceased worker's record. The amounts are percentages of the worker's benefit, limited by a family maximum, and are not means-tested. A spouse or some minor children also get a one-time $255 death payment.
71.5% to 100%
of the deceased spouse's benefit for a surviving spouse, rising to 100% at full retirement age (SSA, rule:spouse_amount)
Who may qualify
Family member
Who may qualify
Payment
Rule
Widow or widower
60 or older (50 to 59 with a disability), married at least 9 months, not remarried before 60
71.5% to 100% of the worker's benefit
rule:spouse, rule:spouse_amount
Spouse caring for the worker's child
any age, any length of marriage
UNKNOWN (not stated on pages fetched)
rule:caring_for_child
Ex-spouse
married at least 10 years
as a spouse
rule:ex_spouse
Child
unmarried, 17 or younger, 18 or 19 in K-12, or disabled before 22
generally 75%
rule:children, rule:child_amount
Dependent parent
62 or older, supported by the worker
UNKNOWN (not stated on pages fetched)
rule:dependent_parents
Spouse or some minor children
one-time death payment
$255
rule:lump_sum
A family maximum can lower each payment (rule:child_amount). A person eligible for two benefits gets one and can switch later (rule:choose_one).
How to apply, and what happens after
Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the deceased person's Social Security number, or start at ssa.gov/apply (rule:apply_where). A funeral home usually reports the death (rule:death_reporting). Have the death certificate and marriage, divorce and birth records ready. Each eligible family member is a separate claim.
Once paid, report marriage, income, custody, school attendance and incarceration promptly (rule:report_changes). A survivor under full retirement age earning over $24,480 in 2026 has payments reduced temporarily (rule:earnings_limit_2026). Before a child turns 18 while still in K-12, send Form SSA-1372 to keep benefits (rule:child_18_school).
To disagree with a decision, request reconsideration within 60 days (rule:reconsideration_60_days), then a hearing within 60 days (rule:hearing_60_days).
The procedure, stage by stage, as data
JSONThe procedure, stage by stage, as data
[13 items
{10 keys
"id": "stage:discover",
"order": 1,
"name": "Discover",
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"who_acts": "Family",
"timeline": "Apply after the death; the funeral home usually reports it (rule:death_reporting)",
"evidence": "None",
"failure_mode": "Not knowing children and ex-spouses can qualify",
"model_role": "List who in the family may be eligible",
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},{10 keys
"id": "stage:screen_eligibility",
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"name": "Screen eligibility",
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"who_acts": "Model + family",
"timeline": "Minutes",
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"failure_mode": "Remarriage before 60 (rule:remarriage)",
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},{10 keys
"id": "stage:gather_documents",
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"name": "Gather documents",
"what_happens": "Deceased person's Social Security number (or date of birth and parents' names), death certificate, marriage, divorce and birth records",
"who_acts": "Family",
"timeline": "Before calling",
"evidence": "Death certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates",
"failure_mode": "Missing the deceased's SSN",
"model_role": "Produce the checklist",
"automation_class": "A"
},{10 keys
"id": "stage:complete_application",
"order": 4,
"name": "Complete application",
"what_happens": "Application taken by SSA by phone or appointment",
"who_acts": "Family + SSA",
"timeline": "One call or appointment",
"evidence": "Gathered facts",
"failure_mode": "Not applying for each eligible child",
"model_role": "Prepare answers",
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},{10 keys
"id": "stage:submit",
"order": 5,
"name": "Submit",
"what_happens": "Phone 1-800-772-1213, weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., or ssa.gov",
"who_acts": "Family",
"timeline": "Same day",
"evidence": "Confirmation",
"failure_mode": "None",
"model_role": "Tell the number and hours; never submits",
"automation_class": "B"
},{10 keys
"id": "stage:interview_verification",
"order": 6,
"name": "Interview / verification",
"what_happens": "SSA verifies death, relationship and the deceased person's work record",
"who_acts": "SSA",
"timeline": "UNKNOWN",
"evidence": "Records",
"failure_mode": "Documents not provided",
"model_role": "Explain what SSA checks",
"automation_class": "C - SSA verification is human"
},{10 keys
"id": "stage:decision",
"order": 7,
"name": "Decision",
"what_happens": "SSA mails the decision and monthly amount for each beneficiary",
"who_acts": "SSA",
"timeline": "UNKNOWN",
"evidence": "Notice",
"failure_mode": "Family maximum not explained",
"model_role": "Read the notice; explain the family maximum (rule:child_amount)",
"automation_class": "A"
},{10 keys
"id": "stage:issuance_use",
"order": 8,
"name": "Issuance / use",
"what_happens": "Monthly payment; one-time $255 death payment to a spouse or some minor children",
"who_acts": "SSA",
"timeline": "Monthly",
"evidence": "Direct deposit",
"failure_mode": "Missing the $255 (rule:lump_sum)",
"model_role": "Explain amounts by relationship",
"automation_class": "D"
},{10 keys
"id": "stage:report_changes",
"order": 9,
"name": "Report changes",
"what_happens": "Report marriage, income, custody, school attendance, incarceration; wages over $24,480 in 2026 under full retirement age",
"who_acts": "Beneficiary",
"timeline": "Promptly (rule:report_changes)",
"evidence": "SSA-795 or phone",
"failure_mode": "Overpayment from earnings over the limit",
"model_role": "Track earnings against the limit",
"automation_class": "B"
},{10 keys
"id": "stage:renew_recertify",
"order": 10,
"name": "Renew / recertify",
"what_happens": "Child benefits end at 18 unless in K-12; SSA-1372 to continue",
"who_acts": "Family",
"timeline": "Before the 18th birthday (rule:child_18_school)",
"evidence": "School verification",
"failure_mode": "Benefits stop at 18 without the form",
"model_role": "Remind before the birthday",
"automation_class": "B"
},{10 keys
"id": "stage:denial_response",
"order": 11,
"name": "Denial response",
"what_happens": "Request reconsideration online, on SSA-561, or by phone",
"who_acts": "Family",
"timeline": "60 days (rule:reconsideration_60_days)",
"evidence": "Notice",
"failure_mode": "Missing 60 days",
"model_role": "Identify the reason",
"automation_class": "A"
},{10 keys
"id": "stage:appeal_fair_hearing",
"order": 12,
"name": "Appeal / fair hearing",
"what_happens": "Hearing with an administrative law judge, Appeals Council, federal district court",
"who_acts": "Family + SSA",
"timeline": "60 days (rule:hearing_60_days)",
"evidence": "Evidence",
"failure_mode": "None",
"model_role": "Explain; never files",
"automation_class": "B"
},{10 keys
"id": "stage:overpayment_exit",
"order": 13,
"name": "Overpayment / exit",
"what_happens": "Benefits end on remarriage before 60, a child aging out, or switching to another benefit; overpayments are recovered",
"who_acts": "SSA",
"timeline": "As decided",
"evidence": "None",
"failure_mode": "Unreported marriage or earnings",
"model_role": "Explain",
"automation_class": "B"
}
]
The same facts open other programs
A death in the family changes the household's size and income, the first facts of the programs below:
Survivor benefits — Social Security Administration (SSA)“Survivor benefits provide monthly payments to eligible family members of people who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died.”
Survivor benefits: reporting a death — Social Security Administration (SSA)“A funeral home will usually tell us when someone dies, so you may not need to report a death to us.”
Who can get Survivor benefits: ex-spouses — Social Security Administration (SSA)“Ex-spouses who were married for at least 10 years, as well as some valid non-marital legal relationships, may be eligible.”
What you could get: full retirement age — Social Security Administration (SSA)“You can get up to 100% when you reach your Full Retirement Age for Survivor benefits”
What you must report: how — Social Security Administration (SSA)“Call us promptly to tell us about updates, like marriage, income, and custody changes.”
Request reconsideration — Social Security Administration (SSA)“submit a request for a disability or non-medical reconsideration within 60 days.”
Request hearing with a judge — Social Security Administration (SSA)“submit a request for a disability or non-medical hearing within 60 days.”
the whole object this page is drawn from, as JSON
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"rules": [
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"id":"rule:what",
"kind":"definition",
"text":"Survivor benefits are monthly payments to eligible family members of a person who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died; Medicare may also be available on that work record.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"source":"s_ssa_sv",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:spouse",
"kind":"categorical",
"text":"A widow or widower may be eligible at age 60 or older (50 to 59 with a disability), married at least 9 months before the death, and not remarried before 60 (50 with a disability).",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"values_age_years": {
"spouse_min":60,
"disabled_spouse_min":50
},
"value_months_married":9,
"source":"s_ssa_sv_el_spouse",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:remarriage",
"kind":"restriction",
"text":"Remarrying before age 60 (50 with a disability) ends eligibility as a survivor.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"value_age_years":60,
"source":"s_ssa_sv_el_remarry",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:ex_spouse",
"kind":"categorical",
"text":"An ex-spouse married at least 10 years, and some non-marital legal relationships, may be eligible.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"value_years_married":10,
"source":"s_ssa_sv_el_ex",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:caring_for_child",
"kind":"categorical",
"text":"A surviving spouse caring for the deceased person's child may be eligible regardless of age or length of marriage.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"source":"s_ssa_sv_el_child_care",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:children",
"kind":"categorical",
"text":"Unmarried children may be eligible if 17 or younger, 18 or 19 and in school (K-12) full time, or any age with a disability that began at 21 or younger.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"values_age_years": {
"under":18,
"student_max":19,
"disability_onset_max":21
},
"source":"s_ssa_sv_el_children",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:adult_disabled_child",
"kind":"categorical",
"text":"An adult child whose disability started before age 22 may be eligible after a parent's death.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"value_age_years":22,
"source":"s_ssa_sv_el_adult_child",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:dependent_parents",
"kind":"categorical",
"text":"A parent age 62 or older who was financially supported by the child who died may be eligible.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"value_age_years":62,
"source":"s_ssa_sv_el_parents",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:spouse_amount",
"kind":"benefit",
"text":"A surviving spouse's payment starts at 71.5% of the deceased spouse's benefit and rises with the age at which it starts, to 100% at full retirement age for survivors (66 to 67).",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"values_percent": {
"min":71.5,
"at_full_retirement_age":100
},
"source":"s_ssa_sv_amt_spouse",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:full_retirement_age",
"kind":"benefit",
"text":"Up to 100% is paid at full retirement age for survivor benefits.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"value_percent":100,
"source":"s_ssa_sv_amt_fra",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:child_amount",
"kind":"benefit",
"text":"Children generally get 75% of the parent's benefit, subject to a family maximum that can lower everyone's payment; ex-spouses do not count toward it.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"value_percent":75,
"source":"s_ssa_sv_amt_child",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:lump_sum",
"kind":"benefit",
"text":"A spouse or some minor children can get a one-time death payment of $255.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"value_usd":255,
"source":"s_ssa_sv_amt_lump",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:choose_one",
"kind":"restriction",
"text":"A person eligible for survivor and another benefit receives one, not both added together, and can switch later.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"source":"s_ssa_sv_amt_switch",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:apply_where",
"kind":"procedure",
"text":"Apply by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., giving the deceased person's Social Security number, or through ssa.gov.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"source":"s_ssa_sv_amt_phone",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:death_reporting",
"kind":"procedure",
"text":"A funeral home usually reports the death to SSA.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"source":"s_ssa_sv_funeral",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:earnings_limit_2026",
"kind":"reporting",
"text":"A survivor under full retirement age (66 or younger) must report work and wages; pay above $24,480 in 2026 (pre-tax) reduces the payment temporarily.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"effective":"2026",
"value_usd_annual":24480,
"source":"s_ssa_sv_rep_wages",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:report_changes",
"kind":"reporting",
"text":"Report marriage, income, custody changes, school attendance, citizenship or immigration status, and incarceration promptly.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"source":"s_ssa_sv_rep_call",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:child_18_school",
"kind":"renewal",
"text":"When a child turns 18 and is still in K-12, Form SSA-1372 asks to keep the child's benefits.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"source":"s_ssa_sv_rep_1372",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:reconsideration_60_days",
"kind":"appeal",
"text":"A decision can be appealed by requesting reconsideration within 60 days.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"value_days":60,
"source":"s_ssa_recon",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
},
{
"id":"rule:hearing_60_days",
"kind":"appeal",
"text":"After reconsideration, a hearing before an administrative law judge can be requested within 60 days; then Appeals Council review and federal district court.",
"jurisdiction":"US",
"value_days":60,
"source":"s_ssa_hearing",
"status":"verified 2026-10-09"
}
],
"fiscal_year": {
"fiscal_year":"2026 (calendar year)",
"effective":"2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31",
"source":"s_ssa_sv_rep_wages",
"area":"United States"
},
"fields": [
{
"field_id":"f:relationship",
"canonical_fact":"household.composition.members[]",
"label":"Your relationship to the person who died, and each child in the family",
"data_type":"list",
"required":true,
"sensitivity":"personal",
"used_by_rules": [
"rule:spouse",
"rule:ex_spouse",
"rule:children",
"rule:dependent_parents",
"rule:caring_for_child"
]
},
{
"field_id":"f:dob",
"canonical_fact":"person.identity.date_of_birth",
"label":"Your date of birth",
"data_type":"date",
"required":true,
"sensitivity":"personal",
"used_by_rules": [
"rule:spouse",
"rule:dependent_parents",
"rule:spouse_amount",
"rule:earnings_limit_2026"
]
},
{
"field_id":"f:marriage",
"canonical_fact":"household.marriage.length_and_remarriage",
"label":"How long you were married, and whether you remarried and at what age",
"data_type":"text",
"required":true,
"sensitivity":"personal",
"used_by_rules": [
"rule:spouse",
"rule:remarriage",
"rule:ex_spouse"
]
},
{
"field_id":"f:death",
"canonical_fact":"household.member.death_date",
"label":"Date of death of the family member, and whether they worked and paid Social Security taxes",
"data_type":"date",
"required":true,
"sensitivity":"sensitive",
"used_by_rules": [
"rule:what"
]
},
{
"field_id":"f:disability",
"canonical_fact":"person.health.disability_status",
"label":"A disability, and the age it began (for adult children, before 22)",
"data_type":"text",
"required":false,
"sensitivity":"sensitive",
"used_by_rules": [
"rule:spouse",
"rule:adult_disabled_child"
]
},
{
"field_id":"f:school",
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"starters": [
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"Can my children get benefits?",
"I was divorced. Can I still qualify?",
"How much would I get?",
"Can I work while getting survivor benefits?",
"Continue where I left off"
]
}
],
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"instructions":"You are helping one family with Social Security survivor benefits. Use only the rules in this article's facts.rules, naming the rule id and its source id beside every figure; the earnings limit is for 2026. The amount depends on the deceased worker's record, which only SSA can calculate: give percentages (rule:spouse_amount, rule:child_amount), never a dollar estimate other than the $255 death payment (rule:lump_sum). Ask for at most two facts at a time, starting with the relationship to the person who died and the survivor's age; screen each family member separately; restate each as a canonical fact line (person.identity.date_of_birth = 1964-03-02). Report results as: potentially eligible, potentially ineligible, insufficient information, or requires SSA determination; always say SSA decides. Give the 60-day appeal deadlines. Use facts.ontology.related_programs and facts.procedure.stages for the exact next step. Never claim an application was filed. Keep it short.",
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"## What Social Security survivor benefits is, in one paragraph\n\nSocial Security survivor benefits are monthly payments from the Social Security Administration to the family of a person who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died. A widow or widower, an ex-spouse married at least 10 years, unmarried children, adult children disabled before 22, and dependent parents can qualify, each on the deceased worker's record. The amounts are percentages of the worker's benefit, limited by a family maximum, and are not means-tested. A spouse or some minor children also get a one-time $255 death payment.",
{
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"## Who may qualify\n\n| Family member | Who may qualify | Payment | Rule |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Widow or widower | 60 or older (50 to 59 with a disability), married at least 9 months, not remarried before 60 | 71.5% to 100% of the worker's benefit | rule:spouse, rule:spouse_amount |\n| Spouse caring for the worker's child | any age, any length of marriage | UNKNOWN (not stated on pages fetched) | rule:caring_for_child |\n| Ex-spouse | married at least 10 years | as a spouse | rule:ex_spouse |\n| Child | unmarried, 17 or younger, 18 or 19 in K-12, or disabled before 22 | generally 75% | rule:children, rule:child_amount |\n| Dependent parent | 62 or older, supported by the worker | UNKNOWN (not stated on pages fetched) | rule:dependent_parents |\n| Spouse or some minor children | one-time death payment | $255 | rule:lump_sum |\n\nA family maximum can lower each payment (rule:child_amount). A person eligible for two benefits gets one and can switch later (rule:choose_one).",
"## What the model on this page can do for you\n\nThis article is also the context of a model you can text or chat with. The buttons under the title open Messages with a note already written, or a chat on this page. The model has read this exact page: the rules above with their source ids, the procedure below, and the other programs the same facts open. It asks for one or two facts at a time, starting with your relationship to the person who died and your age, tells you which rules you pass and which it cannot decide, names the programs you may also qualify for, and gives the exact next step. It has no tools: it cannot apply for you, and it says so. Every message is kept on this build's Ledger.\n\nA screening here is a screening, not a decision. SSA decides.",
"## How to apply, and what happens after\n\nCall the Social Security Administration at **1-800-772-1213** (TTY 1-800-325-0778), weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the deceased person's Social Security number, or start at [ssa.gov/apply](https://www.ssa.gov/apply) (rule:apply_where). A funeral home usually reports the death (rule:death_reporting). Have the death certificate and marriage, divorce and birth records ready. Each eligible family member is a separate claim.\n\nOnce paid, report marriage, income, custody, school attendance and incarceration promptly (rule:report_changes). A survivor under full retirement age earning over $24,480 in 2026 has payments reduced temporarily (rule:earnings_limit_2026). Before a child turns 18 while still in K-12, send Form SSA-1372 to keep benefits (rule:child_18_school).\n\nTo disagree with a decision, request reconsideration within 60 days (rule:reconsideration_60_days), then a hearing within 60 days (rule:hearing_60_days).",
{
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"## The same facts open other programs\n\nA death in the family changes the household's size and income, the first facts of the programs below:\n\n- **CalFresh (SNAP) (B001)**, [[california-calfresh]]: food benefits; a household that lost an earner often qualifies.\n- **Medi-Cal (Medicaid) (B011)**, [[california-medi-cal]]: health coverage after losing coverage through the person who died.\n- **CalWORKs (California TANF) (B021)**, [[california-calworks]]: cash aid for families with children; survivor benefits count as income.\n- **SSI + California SSP (B023)**, [[california-ssi-ssp]]: SSI for a surviving child or adult with a disability and very low income.\n- **CalVCB victim compensation (B034)**, [[california-calvcb-victim-compensation]]: CalVCB pays funeral costs and support loss when the death was caused by a violent crime.\n- **Workers' compensation (temporary disability) (B072)**, [[california-workers-comp-temporary-disability]]: workers' compensation death benefits when the death came from a job injury.\n- **VA pension + Aid & Attendance (B029)**, [[california-va-pension-aid-attendance]]: VA Survivors Pension for families of wartime veterans.",
{
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"## How this page works\n\nThis page is one JSON object. The page, the Markdown and the machine copy at [/a/california-social-security-survivors.json](https://miscsubjects.com/a/california-social-security-survivors.json) are three views of it. Its `facts` carry the article's identity and jurisdiction, the procedure with its stages, every rule with its source id and verification status, the person's fields with their canonical fact names, the ontology edges into the benefits graph, the declared actions, the model's instructions, and the permissions the model has (none). The model's context is served separately at [/a/california-social-security-survivors/context](https://miscsubjects.com/a/california-social-security-survivors/context): the same object, projected for a model, so there is one source of truth for the reader and the machine.\n\nWhat is saved: a thread per phone number that texts, holding which articles it asked about, how many messages, and the facts it stated, so a person who comes back continues rather than restarts. The same phone number is treated as the same thread; a browser is never shown another phone's thread, and signing in is required before anything private crosses from text to screen. Every message, in either direction, is a row on this build's Ledger, as every action here is.\n\nFigures carry their status in `facts.rules[].status`. ssa.gov answers 403 to the build and to curl from this Mac; its pages were read on this Mac in the in-app browser on 9 October 2026 and are recorded with their hashes in `facts.verification`. Payments for a caregiver spouse and a dependent parent are UNKNOWN because no SSA page fetched today states the percentage.",
"## Official addresses\n\n- Apply: phone 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778); [SSA: apply](https://www.ssa.gov/apply)\n- The program: [SSA: Survivor benefits](https://www.ssa.gov/survivor), [who can get them](https://www.ssa.gov/survivor/eligibility), [what you could get](https://www.ssa.gov/survivor/amount), [what to report](https://www.ssa.gov/survivor/reporting)\n- Appeals: [Request reconsideration](https://www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made/request-reconsideration)"
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