This is intended to educate the public about the programs and policies of the Social Security Administration.

 If you need to contact Social Security, use the contact information at the bottom of this page.

Note: If you attempt to download documents from SSA Online, you will need Adobe software. If you do not have it, you can download it free of charge at SSA's PDF Download page.

HOW TO PREPARE

To apply for Survivor Benefits as a Spouse, the applicant should prepare for the interview by reviewing a list of some of the questions we will ask. This list is available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-10.html

WHAT THE APPLICANT NEEDS TO DO

The applicant should submit the following items to the local office as soon as possible. The applicant will need to submit original documents or copies certified by the issuing office. The applicant can mail or bring them to Social Security. We will make photocopies and return the documents. The applicant should not fail to keep his\her appointment because he\she does not have all the information. If the applicant does not have a document that is needed, we can help the applicant get it.

·  Proof of death either from a funeral home or death certificate; ·  Social Security numbers for the applicant as well as the deceased worker; ·  The applicant's birth certificate; ·  The applicant's marriage certificate, if the applicant is a widow or widower; ·  The applicant's divorce papers, if he\she is applying as a divorced widow or widower; ·  Social Security numbers for the applicant's dependent children, if available; ·  W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax return for the most recent year for the deceased worker; and ·  Direct Deposit information - the Routing Number which identifies the applicant's bank or financial institution and the Account Number.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you would like to learn more about filing for benefits online, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

For a list of SSA's online services, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices/. If you would like to request informational pamphlets from SSA, you can have them faxed to you by going to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/faxindex.html. For general information about Social Security, go to www.socialsecurity.gov. You may contact your local office at:

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMIN

9500 CENTER STREET

MANASSAS, VA 20110

TOLL FREE: 1-800-772-1213

FAX: (703)368-6537