APG-L Archives
Archiver > APG > 2003-11 > 1067716755
From: Renee Steinig <>
Subject: [APG] Social Security questions - case files; SS-5s without SSN
Date: Sat, 01 Nov 2003 14:59:15 -0500
In-Reply-To: <20031101144653.16455.qmail@web12801.mail.yahoo.com>
Barbara Carroll asked...
<<...does anyone know if there's a way to find out to whom the death
benefit was sent?>>
It is possible to request a copy of a deceased person's Social Security
case file, which can contain far more information than the SS-5. Several
years ago, a Social Security Administration representative told me that
SSA policy is to keep the file for five years after any beneficiary
(e.g. widow[er], minor child) might be eligible to file a claim, but
often files survive much longer. The good news: According to the SSA
"Guide to FOIA Requests" at www.ssa.gov/foia/foia_guide.htm , the fee to
search for a case file remains at $14 -- the same as it was when the
SS-5 fee, now $27-$29, was $7. The bad news: The fee applies whether or
not a file is found. If a file is found, the SSA may black out the names
of living beneficiaries, such as the recipient of the death benefit.
Tom Mueller asked...
<<Can an SS-5 still be obtained for a person not found in the SSDI?>>
Yes, so long as the person applied for a Social Security number. The SSA
charges $29 for the search (vs. $27 when a number is provided).
Renee
Renee Stern Steinig
Dix Hills, Long Island, NY
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