When a Social Security beneficiary dies, report the death to the Social Security Administration as soon as possible. They will require the name and Social Security Number of the deceased, the date and place of death, if there is a surviving spouse or an eligible child, and your name and address. A copy of the Death Certificate may be required. You will be given instructions on handling any forthcoming Social Security checks. A one-time death benefit of $255 is paid to a surviving spouse or eligible child. Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213 www.socialsecurity.gov
Donor Programs If you are considering donating an organ here are some resources to assist you. Blood Center (713) 790-1200 (800) 355-7427 Donate Life Texas (877) 839-2755 www.donatelifetexas.org
LifeGift (713) 523-4438 (800) 633-6562 www.lifegift.org Volunteers educate the public through speaking engagements on organ donation. The Living Bank (713) 528-2971 (800) 528-2971 www.livingbank.org Registry and referral service for committing tissues, bones, or vital organs to transplantation or research. Once organs or tissues are removed, the body is returned to the family. Lion’s Eye Bank of Texas at Baylor College of Medicine (713) 798-5500 bcm.edu/eye National Kidney Foundation Donor Family Council (800) 622-9010 kidney.org
FINAL PLANNING
To Report the Death of a Social Security Beneficiary
National Marrow Donor Program (800) 526-7809 www.marrow.org Write or call for information on how to become a bone-marrow donor. United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) (804) 782-4800 DONATION OF A BODY If you wish to donate for medical research, contact the nearest medical school. Baylor College of Medicine (713) 798-3858 BIOGIFT (866) 670-1799 www.biogift.org
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