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According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the AARP, there are over 13 million widowed people in the United States , and more than 900,000 Americans become widowed each year. The median value of wealth of a household declines by approximately one-third after the death of a spouse. With this dramatic change in income, it is important for the surviving spouse to receive all benefits owed them.

Social Security

If the deceased spouse paid into Social Security for at least 40 quarters, there are two types of benefits that may be available:

1. Death Benefit – A surviving spouse may be eligible to receive $225 as a “Lump Sum Death Benefit” for burial expenses.
2. Survivors' Benefits – There are a variety of benefits available depending on the age and relationship of the survivor. Eligible survivors are:
   • Surviving spouse age 60 or older.
   • Disabled surviving spouse age 50 or older.
   • Surviving spouse under the age of 50 who cares for minor children (under the age of 16) or disabled children.
   • Minor children of the deceased (under the age of 18) or disabled children.

For more information, visit the Social Security website at: www.ssa.gov/ or call them at 1-800-772-1213.

Ohio Homestead Tax Exemption

The Ohio Homestead Tax Exemption is open to any Ohio homeowner who currently lives in their home as their primary residence. They must:

• Be at least 65 years old during the current tax year; or
• Be totally and permanently disabled, regardless of age; or
• Be the surviving spouse of a qualified homeowner, and at least 59 years old on the date of their spouse's death.

Applications for the exemption for tax bills payable in the following year must be received by October 1 st of the current year. The normal application dates are between the first Monday in January and the first Monday in June.

Veterans' Benefits

Surviving spouses and family members of U.S. Veterans may be eligible for many benefits. These include:

• Bereavement counseling to spouses and family members of service members.
• Death pension.
• Educational assistance to qualifying dependents of Veterans.
• Medical care for spouses and family members.
• Burial benefits.

These benefits are to assist a claimant who “requires the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living or is bedridden, or is a patient in a nursing home or is blind or is housebound with a permanent disability.”

The Veterans Administration (VA) provides partial reimbursement for an eligible veteran's burial and funeral costs in a private cemetery. The VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for a service-related death and up to $300 for a nonservice-related death. According to the VA, reimbursements are generally described as:

• Burial and funeral expense allowance.
• Plot interment allowance.

The VA will provide burial in a national cemetery at no cost for veterans, their spouses and dependents. This includes the “gravesite, grave-liner, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker and perpetual care as part of a national shrine.” Burial flags to drape the coffin and Presidential Memorial Certificates are available free of charge. Ohio has two national cemeteries: Dayton National Cemetery (937-262-2115) and Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery (330-335-3069).

Each county in Ohio has a Veteran's Service Office and can provide information on all benefits available at the county, state and federal level. The contact information for each county Veteran 's Service Office can be found by visiting the Governor's Office of Veterans' Affairs website. For more information on benefits, visit the VA website at: www.va.gov/ , call 1-800-827-1000, contact the Governor's Office of Veterans' Affairs at 614-644-0898 or visit their website at: www.veteransaffairs.ohio.gov/ .

Employee Benefits

The surviving spouse should contact the deceased spouse's employer to determine if it provides life, health, or accident insurance. The deceased may be entitled to a final paycheck or a check for unused sick or vacation time. If the deceased spouse was retired, check with his or her pension plan provider.

If the deceased belonged to a union or a professional organization, the surviving spouse should check to see if they provide death benefits for members.

For more information, please visit www.ohiotreasurer.gov or call us at 1-800-228-1102.

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