You must file the application for the lump-sum death payment within the two-year period ending with the second anniversary of the insured person's death. The filing period may be extended under certain conditions as explained in §§1517-1519.
You must file an application for the lump-sum death payment if:
You are not entitled to wife's or husband's benefits on the deceased person's Social Security record for the month just before the month in which the insured person died; or
You are a child.
Note: If more than one child is entitled to the lump-sum, each child must apply to receive his or her share of the payment.
You do not need to file an application for the lump-sum as a widow(er) if you were entitled to wife's or husband's benefits on the deceased person's Social Security record for the month just before the month in which the insured person died.
Last Revised: March, 2001