Social Security
A family member or other person responsible for the beneficiary’s affairs should do the following:
- Promptly notify Social Security of the beneficiary’s death by calling SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.
- If monthly benefits were being paid via direct deposit, notify the bank or other financial institution of the beneficiary’s death. Request that any funds received for the month of death and later be returned to Social Security as soon as possible.
- If benefits were being paid by check, DO NOT CASH any check received for the month in which the beneficiary died or thereafter. Return the checks to Social Security as soon as possible.
Local Social Security Office
915 Wenzel Road
Peru, IL 61354
Phone: (855)245-0640
Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 3:30pm
One Time Lump Sum Benefit:
A one-time payment of $255 is payable to the surviving spouse if he
or she was living with the beneficiary at the time of death, OR if
living apart, was eligible for Social Security benefits on the
beneficiary’s earnings record for the month of death.
If there is no
surviving spouse, the payment is made to a minor or dependent child who
was eligible for benefits on the beneficiary’s earnings record in the
month of death.
Benefits for Survivors:
Monthly survivors benefits can be paid to certain family members,
including the beneficiary's widow or widower, dependent children and
dependent parents.
The following booklets contain more information
about filing for benefits and can be downloaded by clicking on the
title.
Survivors Benefits
(Publication No. 05-10084)
Social Security: Understanding the Benefits (Publication No. 05-10024)
For more information you may visit the Social Security
Administration’s Web site at
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/deathbenefits.htm or
www.socialsecurity.gov