Eligibility for Social Security lump-sum death benefit is measured by?

The eligibility for the Social Security lump-sum death benefit is determined by how many quarters of coverage the deceased accumulated. This is because Social Security benefits, including the death benefit, are contingent upon the earnings record of the deceased, which is calculated based on their work history.

In the Social Security system, individuals earn credits, commonly referred to as quarters of coverage, based on their earnings from employment. To qualify for benefits, an individual must have a sufficient number of these quarters. The required number can vary depending on the type of benefits, but for the lump-sum death benefit specifically, the amount of qualified quarters is crucial. Generally, to be eligible for this benefit, the deceased must have worked and paid into Social Security for at least a certain number of quarters.

Other factors, such as the age of the deceased, how many days they worked, or their income in the year prior to death, do not directly determine eligibility for this benefit. The focus is strictly on the work history as evidenced by the quarters accumulated, making it a clear criterion for assessing eligibility.