Question: My spouse just died and the funeral home notified the Social Security Administration, so when will my Social Security increase to my spouse’s amount?

Answer: In the situation where your spouse has died, you as the surviving spouse need to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA). The funeral home or hospital usually notifies SSA of the actual event of the death. You the individual need to contact SSA and work through any benefit changes that might apply to your situation.

There are three SSA offices nearby, Jamestown, Olean and Dunkirk, but none are currently allowing in person appointments. You can call these local offices; Jamestown (877) 319-3079, or Olean (877) 319-5773, or Dunkirk (888) 862-2139. The hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also call the national number at (800) 772-1213, which is available for extended hours, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. This national number also has pre-recorded help-line information available 24 hours a day, but to speak to a representative you must call between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

During this contact you will speak to SSA staff or receive information that will assist you through this difficult situation. They can answer questions you have regarding your current monthly benefit amount, how to file for benefits if you don’t already collect benefits, and the possibility of adjusting your benefit amount to the new amount. Staff members will explain any changes to your SSA payment and when it will take place. This conversation also will prompt a written letter you will receive later explaining what was discussed, and the final outcome of that discussion.

It is important to realize that your information will be evaluated and some of your questions can be answered. You will also be given an actual appointment for a later date, sometimes up to 6 weeks later. This process can take some time to resolve and finish.

For example, James collects $2,400 in monthly Social Security and his spouse Jane collects $900 in benefits. The following two scenarios may apply. If James dies and Jane is surviving her SSA benefit will increase up to the $2,400 amount. She will begin collecting the higher amount of the two payments. The smaller amount no longer comes to the household. If Jane dies, her SSA benefit obviously stops and James continues to collect $2,400. SSA staff will explain this, but differently. SSA would explain Jane’s $900 amount continues and the additional $1,500 is from James’ benefits. Mathematically the $2,400 is the same to Jane. Another change is the time of the month the deposit comes. If Jane’s deposit was the second Wednesday it may change to the third or fourth Wednesday of the month, or visa versa.

Sometimes there are complications, like divorce prior to death, multiple marriages for one or both spouses. Another scenario is children surviving the person who died and those children are under the age of 18.

SSA is going to help you with your personal situation. There will also be some delay in this income change, so realize the first month or two you will be living on your current SS benefit until it is adjusted.

SSA does help with burial costs with a one-time payment of $255 to the surviving spouse.

If the individual at death is single, divorced or widowed, there is no one-time payment.

To contact Janell Sluga, GCMC with questions or concerns, please call (716) 720-9797 or e-mail janells@lutheran-jamestown.org .