After a death, families often describe the first few days as a blur of phone calls, decisions, and paperwork—made heavier by grief and a sense that everything is urgent. In the middle of funeral planning, someone usually asks a practical question: “Is there any help available right now?” One small, easily missed option is the lump sum death payment—often searched as the social security death benefit 255—a one-time $255 payment that may be available to an eligible spouse or, if no spouse qualifies, certain children. According to the Social Security Administration, the payment is intended to help cover costs when a spouse or parent dies, but the eligibility rules are narrower than most people expect, and there is a firm deadline to apply.
This guide walks you through who qualifies, how to apply without getting stuck, and how to think about that $255 in the context of the real expenses families face—whether you are planning a burial, choosing cremation urns for ashes, selecting cremation jewelry, or figuring out what to do with ashes when the initial rush of arrangements is over.
What the $255 Lump-Sum Death Payment Is (and What It Isn’t)
The Social Security lump sum death payment—sometimes abbreviated as LSDP 255—is a single $255 payment made on a deceased worker’s Social Security record. It is not a monthly survivor benefit and it is not a funeral grant in the way many people imagine. The Social Security Handbook explains that the lump-sum is a one-time payment of $255 and is paid in addition to any monthly survivor benefits that may be due. Social Security Handbook
It also helps to understand why some families never see it. The worker must have been “fully or currently insured” (in plain terms: they generally must have worked long enough under Social Security), and then an eligible person must exist to receive it. Social Security Handbook If no one qualifies under the rules, the $255 is not paid to the estate and it does not automatically go to the person who paid funeral expenses.
Who Qualifies for the Social Security $255 Death Benefit
The simplest way to remember eligibility is priority: an eligible spouse is first in line, and if no spouse qualifies, eligible children may receive it. The Social Security Administration summarizes it this way: a spouse might get the one-time $255 payment; if there is no spouse, some children may be eligible. Social Security Administration
Eligible surviving spouse
Many people have heard, “the spouse gets it,” but the household and benefit details matter. Social Security notes that a spouse might get the $255 payment, and that a spouse who does not live in the same home may still be eligible if they can get benefits based on the deceased person’s record. Social Security Administration The Handbook adds that when no spouse was living in the household, the lump-sum may be payable to a surviving spouse not living with the worker if the spouse is entitled to or eligible for certain benefits for the month the worker died. Social Security Handbook
Eligible children (if no spouse qualifies)
If there is no spouse to receive the payment, the lump-sum can be payable to a child or children of the deceased worker, but the child must have been entitled to or eligible for benefits on the deceased worker’s record for the month the worker died. Social Security Handbook Social Security’s public guidance highlights the most common categories: children age 17 or younger; age 18–19 and in school full time (K–12); or any age if they developed a disability at age 21 or younger. Social Security Administration
If more than one child qualifies, the $255 is divided equally. Social Security Handbook In other words, it is one payment per worker’s record, not $255 per child.
A common point of confusion: divorced spouses
Survivor benefits and the $255 payment get mixed up constantly. A surviving divorced spouse may qualify for monthly survivor benefits under certain rules, but the $255 lump-sum is different. The Social Security Handbook is direct: the lump-sum death payment is not payable to a divorced spouse. Social Security Handbook
The Deadline Families Miss: Two Years to Apply
For many families, the hardest part is not eligibility—it is timing. You must apply within two years of the date of death. Social Security’s public “lump-sum death payment” guidance states that you must apply within 2 years of the family member’s death. Social Security Administration The Handbook describes the same rule as “within the two-year period ending with the second anniversary” of the insured worker’s death. Social Security Handbook
That may sound generous, but grief has a way of making months disappear. Families often intend to “get to it later,” then realize too late that later has a date attached. If you think you might qualify, treat this as an early administrative task, not an end-of-year chore.
How to Apply for the Lump Sum Death Payment Without Getting Stuck
Start by separating three steps: reporting the death, establishing eligibility, and filing the application. The first step is often handled for you. Social Security says funeral homes generally tell them when someone dies, so you do not typically need to report a death yourself. If a funeral home is not involved or does not report the death, Social Security advises calling them and providing identifying information. Social Security Administration
For the actual application, Social Security provides a “Get Started” path for submitting the application through their process (which requires signing in), and they also offer phone support with instructions to tell the representative you want to apply for a lump-sum death payment. Social Security Administration If you prefer to understand the questions ahead of time, the official paper application is the SSA-8 form. Social Security Administration
Families often worry they need everything perfectly organized before they call. In reality, you can make progress by having a few basics ready. Social Security’s “Form SSA-8 | Information You Need To Apply” page explains that you can apply by calling or visiting your local office and encourages you to be ready to provide needed documents and answer the listed questions. Social Security Administration
- Basic identifying information for the person who died (including their Social Security number) and for the applicant. Social Security Administration
- Relationship documentation as needed (for example, proof of marriage for a spouse or proof of parent/child relationship for a child), because eligibility turns on who the applicant is in relation to the worker. Social Security Administration
- If multiple children may qualify, understand that each child must apply to receive their share. Social Security Handbook
One detail that can save time: if a widow or widower was already entitled to wife’s or husband’s benefits on the deceased person’s Social Security record for the month just before the month of death, the Handbook notes they may not need to file a separate application for the lump-sum. Social Security Handbook If you are not sure whether that applies, it is still worth calling and asking directly—because the cost of asking is small, and the cost of missing the window is permanent.
Where This $255 Fits Into Real Funeral Planning Decisions
No one wants to talk about money right after a death, but avoiding the topic tends to make it worse. A $255 payment will not cover a funeral. What it can do is help with a few immediate, concrete expenses that arrive fast—extra certified death certificates, a small memorial gathering, an urn upgrade if the cremation provider uses a temporary container, or travel costs for a family member who needs to come home quickly.
For context, cremation has become the majority choice in the United States. The Cremation Association of North America reports the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024 and projects continued growth. Cremation Association of North America NFDA’s 2025 Cremation & Burial Report projects the U.S. cremation rate at 63.4% in 2025, more than double the projected burial rate (31.6%), with further increases expected over time. National Funeral Directors Association
Costs vary widely by region and service choices, but national benchmarks can still help families set expectations. NFDA reports a national median cost in 2023 of $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial, compared with $6,280 for a funeral with cremation. National Funeral Directors Association If you are staring at a budget and trying to decide what matters most, $255 is not a solution—but it can be a helpful offset for one line item that feels meaningful, especially when your family is making decisions about cremation urns, keepsakes, and the question of keeping ashes at home versus another form of placement.
Making Cremation Choices Calmer: Urns, Keepsakes, and Jewelry
If cremation is part of your plan, there is often a quiet “second wave” of decisions after the cremation itself is complete. Families may receive the cremated remains in a temporary container and then realize they need to choose a permanent memorial. This is where browsing cremation urns for ashes can shift the experience from rushed to intentional. Instead of choosing whatever is available in the moment, you can choose what fits your home, your values, and the way your loved one lived.
For many families, the most practical plan is one primary urn plus a few small items for sharing. That might mean small cremation urns for a second household, or keepsake urns so siblings can each keep a portion. If you want a step-by-step explanation of sizing, materials, and how to avoid a stressful “it doesn’t fit” moment, Funeral.com’s guide How to Choose the Right Urn walks through the decisions in the order that tends to feel easiest when you are grieving.
For a more personal, wearable option, many families choose cremation necklaces or other forms of cremation jewelry. The key is understanding that jewelry typically holds a very small, symbolic amount, and it works best when it is part of a larger plan rather than the only plan. If you want practical guidance on styles, sealing, and day-to-day wear, Funeral.com’s Cremation Necklaces for Ashes guide is designed for real-world questions families ask at the kitchen table.
Pet Loss Counts Too: Options for Pet Urns and Pet Keepsakes
Families are often surprised by how similar the practical questions feel after a pet loss. The love is real, and so is the need for a safe, respectful memorial. If you are choosing pet urns, starting with a dedicated collection like pet cremation urns can help you compare sizes and styles more calmly. For families who want something that looks like their companion, pet figurine cremation urns can feel especially personal, while pet keepsake cremation urns make sharing possible when multiple people are grieving the same animal.
If you are new to pet memorial decisions, Funeral.com’s pet urns for ashes guide explains the basics—how sizing works, what materials tend to hold up best at home, and how to choose something that feels like “them” rather than like a generic product.
Keeping Ashes at Home, Water Burial, and Other Next-Step Decisions
Once the paperwork slows down, families often circle back to the question they avoided at first: what to do with ashes. Some people find comfort in keeping ashes at home, especially during the first year, because it allows grief to move at its own pace. If you are weighing safety, legality, and practical display ideas, Funeral.com’s Keeping Cremation Ashes at Home guide is a helpful companion to the decision.
Other families want a ceremony that feels like release. That might mean scattering, burial in a cemetery, or a water burial. If ocean burial-at-sea is part of your plan, federal guidance matters. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains that cremated remains may be buried in or on ocean waters provided the burial takes place at least three nautical miles from land, and it requires notification to the EPA within 30 days following the event. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency For families who want a biodegradable option designed specifically for water, Funeral.com’s Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly Urns for Ashes collection is a focused place to compare water-soluble designs meant for that purpose.
If you want ideas beyond the basics—without pressure to decide immediately—Funeral.com’s What to Do With Cremation Ashes guide is written for the reality that many families change their minds, or choose a “for now” plan first and a long-term plan later.
A Gentle, Practical Plan: Do the Paperwork Early, Then Decide the Memorial
One reason the SSA lump sum death payment gets missed is that it competes with bigger decisions and stronger emotions. A workable approach is to handle the time-sensitive administrative steps first—reporting and applying—so you can return to the memorial decisions with more breathing room. Social Security is clear that the $255 payment has a deadline, and the official application language reinforces that it must be filed within two years of the worker’s death. Social Security Administration
Then, when you are ready, you can make the more personal choices with less urgency: whether your family wants an urn that stays at home, a plan for sharing, a piece of cremation jewelry that can be worn daily, or an option aligned with nature, such as a biodegradable urn for burial or water. The decisions do not have to happen all at once, and they do not have to be perfect on the first try. What matters is that they reflect the person (or pet) you are honoring—and that the process feels as steady as it can in a difficult season.
Frequently Asked Questions About the $255 Lump-Sum Death Payment
Is the $255 paid automatically?
Often, no. Funeral homes generally report the death to Social Security, but the lump-sum payment still requires eligibility and, in many situations, an application. Social Security Administration If you are unsure, calling and asking is usually the simplest move.
Do we get $255 per child?
No. The payment is $255 total on the worker’s record, and if multiple children qualify, each is eligible for an equal share. Social Security Handbook
Can a divorced spouse receive the $255 death benefit?
No. The Social Security Handbook states the lump-sum is not payable to a divorced spouse. Social Security Handbook
What if we’re close to the two-year deadline?
Apply immediately. The general rule is that you must file within the two-year period ending with the second anniversary of death. Social Security Handbook If your situation is unusual, Social Security can tell you whether any limited exceptions apply, but it is safer to assume the standard deadline controls and act quickly.
Where do I start if I’m overwhelmed?
Start with the single question Social Security wants to hear: “I want to apply for the lump-sum death payment.” Their own guidance provides the direct path, including a “Get Started” option and phone support, and it reiterates the two-year application window. Social Security Administration
