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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

96.004:  Social Security: Survivors Insurance

Objectives:  To replace part of the earnings lost to dependents because of the worker's death.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

96.004 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Benefits are payable only if the deceased was insured for survivors insurance protection. Coverage credits under the social security systems of certain foreign countries with which the U.S. has reciprocal agreements may be taken into account to meet the requirements. Survivors eligible for monthly cash benefits are the following: widows or widowers age 60 or over; surviving divorced spouses age 60 or over (married to the deceased worker for at least 10 years); disabled widows, widowers or surviving divorced spouses ages 50-59; widows, widowers, or surviving divorced spouses at any age who have in their care a child under age 16 or disabled and entitled to benefits on the deceased worker's Social Security record; unmarried children under age 18, under age 19 and a full time student in elementary or secondary school; or age 18 or older and under a disability which began before age 22; and dependent parents age 62 and over. All survivors benefits, other than for beneficiaries age 70 and over, are subject to an earnings test. (NOTE: Legislation is pending to eliminate the earnings test for ages 65 through 69). In 2000, benefits are reduced by $1 for each $2 of earnings over $10,080 for people under age 65 and $1 for each $3 of earnings over $17,000 for people ages 65 through 69. Except for benefits to children and dependent parents, all survivors benefits are subject to a pension offset if the person is also receiving a governmental pension based on his or her own work in non-covered employment. However, the offset does not apply: (1) If the person receives, or is eligible to receive, the pension before December 1, 1982, and can meet the requirements for the Social Security auxiliary's benefit as they existed in January 1977; or (2) if the person receives, or is eligible to receive, the pension before July 1, 1983, and the person was dependent on his or her spouse for at least one-half support at the time the spouse died, became disabled or became entitled to Social Security benefits. The amount of the public pension used for purposes of the offset against Social Security survivor's benefits is equal to two- thirds of the public pension. Benefits for widows/widowers and surviving divorced spouses are also offset dollar for dollar by any Social Security benefit the surviving spouse receives based on his or her own work. Under certain conditions, a lump-sum death payment of $255 is payable to the widow or children of the deceased worker.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses age 60 or over are entitled as long as the worker met the insurance requirements. Widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses also qualify at any age if they have entitled children of the worker under age 16 or disabled children in their care; unmarried children: under age 18, under age 19 and a full-time student in elementary or secondary school or age 18 or older and under a disability which began before age 22; and dependent parents age 62 and over. To claim benefits as disabled widows, widowers, or surviving divorced spouses, individuals ages 50-59 must show that they have a disability that started no later than 7 years after the insured died or 7 years after certain other entitlements ended. "Disability" currently has the same meaning for these entitlements as it does for workers who claim disability insurance (see 96.001). As in worker disability claims, there is also a 5-month waiting period after the disability began before benefits begin and entitlement to Medicare after 24 months of entitlement to benefits. Children of the worker claiming benefits because of disability are also subject to the definition of disability used for workers and must show that they have been continuously disabled since before they reached age 22. There is no waiting period for these benefits.

Credentials/Documentation:  Social Security number, proof of death, age, and relationship. For certain auxiliaries, proof of support may be required.

96.004 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  Phone or visit the local Social Security Office.

Award Procedure:  After review of the application is completed, the applicant (or representative payee) will be notified by mail.

Deadlines:  Retroactivity is limited to 6 months if unreduced benefits are being awarded. Other than a minor exception that permits one-month retroactivity if the widow(er) files for benefits in the month after the month of the worker's death, no retroactivity is provided in most cases when reduced benefits are being awarded. For disabled surviving spouses and disabled surviving divorced spouses, benefits may be retroactive for up to 12 months.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Not applicable.

Appeals:  Phone or visit the local Social Security Office. The appeal process ranges from a reconsideration to a review by the Federal courts.

Renewals:  Not applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Not applicable.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Not applicable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Monthly cash benefits range up to $1,433 for the widow or widower of a worker who dies at age 65 in January 2000. As of December 31, 1999, the average benefit paid to an aged widow or widower alone was $775, and the average amount paid to a widowed mother or father with two or more eligible children was $1,551.

96.004 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 17.302 Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation;
• 17.307 Coal Mine Workers' Compensation;
• 57.001 Social Insurance for Railroad Workers;
• 64.103 Life Insurance for Veterans;
• 64.105 Pension to Veterans Surviving Spouses, and Children;
• 96.001 Social Security: Disability Insurance;
• 96.002 Social Security: Retirement Insurance;
• 96.003 Social Security: Special Benefits for Persons Aged 72 and Over;
• 96.005 Special Benefits for Disabled Coal Miners;
• 96.006 Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

96.004 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

96.004 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Type of Assistance:  Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use; Direct Payments for Specified Use.

Obligations:  (Benefit Payments) FY 99 $74,989,000,000; FY 00 est $77,787,000,000; and FY 01 est $81,188,000,000.

Budget Account Number:  20-8006-0-7-651.

Authorization:  Social Security Act of 1935, Title II, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 401-433.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Parts 401, 404, 422. "Your Social Security," and other publications are available from any Social Security office without charge. The Social Security internet address is www.ssa.gov and it includes copies of all disability-related laws, regulations, rulings, and free publications, as well as other information about Social Security programs.

96.004 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Consult Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:  Office of Public Inquiries, Room 4100, Annex, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, MD 21235. Phone: (410) 965-2736. Use the same number for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

96.004 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Not applicable.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Monthly cash benefits are paid to eligible family members of deceased workers. There are no restrictions on the use of benefits, although the right to future benefits is not transferable or assignable. The Federal government gives the States funds, in advance or by way of reimbursement, for necessary costs in making disability determinations under 20 CFR part 404 subparts P and Q. Necessary costs are direct as well as indirect costs as defined in 41 CFR Part 1-15, Subpart 1-15.7 of the Federal Procurement Regulations System for costs incurred before April 1, 1984; and 48 CFR 31, Subpart 31.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations System and Federal Management Circular A-74-4 as amended or superseded for costs incurred after March 31, 1984.

96.004 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Any change in address or in eligibility requirements (such as work status, marital or family status, or school attendance) must be reported to Social Security when it occurs.

Audits:  None.

Records:  None.