More comfortable using Spanish? Social Security has accommodations
For nearly 90 years, Social Security has provided financial protection to communities throughout the United States, including the Hispanic community.
Today, our retirement, disability, and survivors benefits are an important source of income for Hispanics. Our Spanish-language website, www .ssa.gov/espanol, provides information for those whose primary language is Spanish. There, people can learn how to get a Social Security card, plan for retirement, apply for benefits, manage their benefits, and much more.
We also provide many publications in Spanish at www.ssa.gov/espanol/ publicaciones. Popular topics include:
Retirement, disability, and survivors benefits.
Medicare.
Supplemental Security Income
(SSI).
Social Security cards.
Fraud and scams.
Appeals.
Benefits for children.
Payments outside the U.S.
You can reach a Spanish-speaking representative at 1-800-772-1213.
Question: My wife passed away three weeks ago and I was told I have to file for lump-sum death payment. How much is that?
Answer: A surviving spouse or child may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255 if they meet certain requirements.
Generally, the lump-sum is paid to the surviving spouse who was living in the same household as the worker when they died. If they were living apart, the surviving spouse can still receive the lump sum if, during the month the worker died, they met one of the following:
Were already receiving benefits on the worker’s record.
Became eligible for benefits upon the worker’s death.
If there’s no eligible surviving spouse, the lump sum can be paid to the worker’s child (or children) if, during the month the worker died, the child met one of the following:
Was already receiving benefits on the worker’s record.
Became eligible for benefits upon the worker’s death.
If the eligible surviving spouse or child is not currently receiving benefits, they must apply for this payment within 2 years of the date of death.
Evelyn Linares is a public affairs specialist for the Social Security Administration. If you have Social Security questions, call 800-772-1213.