Social Security Survivor Benefits in Illinois

KairaApril 15, 20267 min readIllinois

When someone dies in Illinois, their surviving family members may be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits. These are federal benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), not the state of Illinois. The benefit amounts depend on the deceased's earnings record and the survivor's relationship and age. This guide covers who qualifies, how much they may receive, how to apply, and the $255 lump-sum death payment.

The $255 Lump-Sum Death Payment

The Social Security lump-sum death payment is a one-time payment of $255. It is not automatic and must be applied for.

Who qualifies:

A surviving spouse who was living in the same household as the deceased at the time of death
If no qualifying spouse exists, a child who was already receiving benefits on the deceased's record

How to apply: Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213. You can also apply at your local Social Security office. Use Form SSA-8 (Application for Lump-Sum Death Payment).

Deadline: You must apply within 2 years of the date of death.

Important: This payment goes to the surviving spouse or eligible child, not to the estate. The funeral home does not receive it. It does not cover funeral costs, though it can be used for any purpose.

Who Qualifies for Monthly Survivor Benefits

Monthly survivor benefits may be available to several categories of family members. All benefits are based on the deceased's Social Security earnings record.

Surviving spouse (age 60 or older):

At full retirement age: up to 100% of the deceased's benefit amount
At age 60: reduced benefit (approximately 71.5% of the full amount)
Benefits are available as early as age 60, or age 50 if the surviving spouse is disabled

Surviving spouse (any age) caring for a child:

If caring for a child under age 16 or a disabled child who is receiving benefits on the deceased's record: 75% of the deceased's benefit amount
No minimum age requirement for the surviving spouse in this case

Unmarried children:

Under age 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school full-time): 75% of the deceased's benefit amount per child
Disabled children: benefits may continue at any age if the disability began before age 22

Dependent parents (age 62 or older):

One surviving parent: 82.5% of the deceased's benefit amount
Two surviving parents: 75% each

Divorced spouse:

If the marriage lasted 10 years or more and the divorced spouse is age 60 or older (50 if disabled) and currently unmarried: may be eligible for survivor benefits
Remarriage after age 60 (50 if disabled) does not disqualify

Family Maximum Benefit

There is a cap on the total amount a family can receive based on one worker's record. The family maximum is typically between 150% and 180% of the deceased's benefit amount. If the sum of individual benefits exceeds the family maximum, each person's benefit is reduced proportionally. The surviving spouse's benefit is not reduced below the minimum.

WEP/GPO Elimination: Important for Illinois Public Employees

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) were eliminated on January 5, 2025 (Social Security Fairness Act of 2023).

What this means for Illinois families: If the deceased received a pension from an Illinois public retirement system (such as the Teachers' Retirement System, State Employees' Retirement System, or Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund), their Social Security benefits were previously reduced by WEP, and the surviving spouse's survivor benefits were previously offset by GPO.

These provisions no longer apply. Surviving spouses of Illinois public employees are now eligible for full Social Security survivor benefits without reduction. Contact SSA to ensure the correct amount is being calculated.

How to Apply for Survivor Benefits

Step 1: Report the death. The funeral home typically reports the death to SSA. Call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm the death has been reported.

Step 2: Stop direct deposits. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits via direct deposit, the benefits for the month of death (and any later months) must be returned. SSA will send a letter requesting repayment. Do not spend any Social Security payment received for the month of death.

Step 3: Apply for benefits. Survivor benefits are not automatic. You must apply.

How to apply:

Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Visit your local Social Security office in person (find locations at ssa.gov/locator)
You cannot apply for survivor benefits online

Documents you will need:

Death certificate (certified copy)
Your Social Security number and the deceased's Social Security number
Your birth certificate
Marriage certificate (if applying as a surviving spouse)
Divorce decree (if applying as a divorced spouse)
Dependent children's Social Security numbers and birth certificates
The deceased's most recent W-2 or tax return
Your bank account information for direct deposit

When to apply: Apply as soon as possible. Benefits may be retroactive for up to 6 months, but there is no guarantee. Delayed applications can result in lost benefits.

Interaction with Illinois State Benefits

Social Security survivor benefits are federal and are not reduced by Illinois state benefits. However, there are a few interactions to be aware of:

Illinois state income tax. Illinois does not tax Social Security benefits. This is a significant advantage for Illinois residents receiving survivor benefits.

Medicaid. Social Security survivor benefits count as income for Illinois Medicaid eligibility purposes. If the surviving spouse or dependent child is receiving Medicaid, increased income from survivor benefits could affect eligibility. Contact the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services for guidance.

Workers' compensation. If the deceased died from a work-related injury or illness and the family is receiving Illinois workers' compensation death benefits, Social Security survivor benefits may be offset. Contact SSA for specifics.

Common Questions About Survivor Benefits

Do I need to apply, or are survivor benefits automatic?

You must apply. The $255 lump-sum death payment and monthly survivor benefits are not automatic. Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office.

Can I receive both my own Social Security benefit and a survivor benefit?

Not simultaneously. If you are eligible for both, SSA will pay your own benefit first. If the survivor benefit is higher, you will receive a combination that equals the higher amount. You can switch between benefits at different ages to maximize your total.

Does remarriage affect survivor benefits?

If you remarry before age 60 (50 if disabled), you generally cannot receive survivor benefits while married. If you remarry at 60 or later, remarriage does not affect your eligibility. If the later marriage ends, you may become eligible again.

What if the deceased did not have enough work credits?

A worker generally needs 40 credits (about 10 years of work) for survivors to qualify for monthly benefits. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. The $255 lump-sum payment requires at least 6 credits in the 3 years before death, or enough credits overall.

How much will I receive?

The amount depends on the deceased's average lifetime earnings and the survivor's age and relationship. SSA can provide an estimate. You can also check the deceased's earnings record through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov if you have authorization.

Is there a deadline to apply?

For the $255 lump-sum death payment: 2 years from the date of death. For monthly survivor benefits: there is no hard deadline, but delayed applications can result in permanently lost benefits. Apply as soon as possible.

Find your nearest Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator. Major Illinois offices include locations in Chicago (multiple offices), Springfield, Rockford, Peoria, and across the state. Call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment.

What to Do Next

After reporting the death and applying for survivor benefits, continue working through the other financial tasks. For the full sequence, see the complete guide to what to do when someone dies in Illinois.

Kaira organizes every step for your state — deadlines, forms, and next actions — so nothing gets missed. See how it works.

This guide reflects Social Security rules as of April 2026, including the elimination of WEP and GPO under the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023. Benefit amounts and rules may change. For complex situations, contact SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213.

Sources: ssa.gov (Social Security Administration); Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (P.L. 118-118); 42 U.S.C. Section 402 (Survivor Benefits)

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