How to get a survivor's benefit

With the loss of a husband or father who earned money, the family, among other things, gets, most often, in a difficult financial situation. Trying to help, the state in this case assigns a survivor's allowance to dependents (most often, children under 18) who remained in this case without support. However, there are several nuances that need to be taken into account when preparing this payment. It is worth bearing in mind that it can be social or labor. In the second case, its size will depend on the savings that came from the deceased to the Pension Fund. In 2011, the minimum amount was about 1500 rubles per person, and for round orphans, this amount was almost doubled.

To begin with, it is necessary to determine who has the right to the survivor's benefit. First, these are his underage children, who do not even need to prove their right to this assistance from the state. Further, depending on the situation, the spouse or the parents of the breadwinner can claim, as well as his brothers, sisters or other close relatives. An important factor is the complete financial dependence on the deceased breadwinner for reasons not dependent on dependents (disability, age under 23, full-time education at the university, etc.). Also, the payment is due to the relatives of the deceased, who cares for his young children.

The organization where to apply is the local branch of the Pension Fund (with respect to registration). Having addressed there, first of all, it will be necessary to fill out the application on a special type form, which contains the data of the applicant, the deceased survivor, and also the list of dependents. In advance it is necessary to take care of opening an account with the bank, for which the payment of the survivor's benefit will be made. It can be transferred to either a savings book or a plastic bank card. The legislation stipulates that this application can be sent to the relevant institution by mail, but it must first be certified by a notary.

The package of documents that will be needed consists of mandatory and additional ones, the latter being individual for each specific case. In order to clarify them, you need to contact the employee of the pension fund. The documents that will be needed in any case include the applicant's passport, the certificate of the death of the breadwinner, a document that must confirm the status of the dependent (for children - the birth certificate), the work book of the deceased. Additional documents can be the following: a certificate of the wage of the breadwinner, a document confirming the disability of the dependent, a certificate of education in full-time form, etc.

The period for which a survivor's benefit is issued varies depending on the situation. If it is appointed on disability, then its entire term will be paid. For the underage dependents, two stages of its payment are distinguished. The first - until the age of 18, the second - if the child continues to study at full-time, then, with the provision of relevant certificates, up to 23 years. Usually when registering an application, a specialist of the Pension Fund gives detailed comments on the payment term and the possibility to extend it.

In addition, dependents are entitled to a social benefit on the loss of a breadwinner, which is paid in cases where the deceased has no work experience, officially registered, or in the commission of a willful act punishable under the Criminal Code, which led to death.

Particular attention should be paid to the fact that the survivor's benefit is being assigned from the date of his death, therefore it is necessary to apply to the relevant institution not later than 12 months from this date. This payment, though not too large in size, but allows the state to provide all possible assistance to persons in need of it.