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• A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as the deceased person at the time of death.
• A surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death.
• A child or children eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death.

How do I apply for social security benefits?

You may apply at any Social Security office or, if you wish, you may apply by telephone. Just dial the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 and the operator will schedule an appointment for you or arrange for the local Social Security office to take your claim by telephone. To speak with a representative, call between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm on regular business days. At other times and on weekends and holidays, you may leave a message and they will call you back, in most cases, the next business day.

Where can I get more information on social security benefits?

For more information on social security benefits, visit the Social Security Administration web site at: www.ssa.gov.

Am I entitled to Veterans Benefits?
You may qualify for certain benefits as outlined below:

Reimbursement of Burial Expenses for Veterans

 
The VA will pay a burial allowance up to $2,000 if the veteran's death is service connected. The VA also will pay the cost of transportation of a service-disabled veteran to the national cemetery nearest the home of a deceased that has available gravesites. In such cases, the person who bore the veteran's burial expenses may claim reimbursement from VA. VA will pay a $300 burial and funeral expense allowance for veterans who, at time of death, were entitled to receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled to compensation but for receipt of military retirement pay. Eligibility also is established when death occurs in a VA facility or a nursing home with which VA contracted. Additional costs of transportation may be reimbursed. There is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims of service-connected deaths. In other deaths, claims must be filed within two years after permanent burial or cremation.

The VA will pay a $300 plot allowance when the veteran is not buried in a cemetery that is under U.S. Government jurisdiction if the veteran is discharged from active duty because of disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, if the veteran was in receipt of compensation or pension or would have been in receipt of compensation but for receipt of military retired pay, or if the veteran died while hospitalized by VA. The plot allowance is not payable solely on wartime service.

If the veteran is buried without charge for the cost of a plot or interment in a state-owned cemetery reserved solely for veteran burials, the $300 plot allowance may be paid to the state. Burial expenses paid by the deceased's employer or a state agency will not be reimbursed.

Burial Flags

The VA provides an American flag to drape the casket of a veteran and to a person entitled to retired military pay. After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the next of kin or a close associate. VA also will issue a flag on behalf of a service member who was missing in action and later presumed dead. Flags are issued at VA regional offices, national cemeteries, and post offices.

Headstones and Markers

The VA provides headstones and markers for the unmarked graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state veteran or military cemeteries.

Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, upright granite and upright marble types are available to mark the grave in a style consistent with the place of burial. Niche markers also are available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.

Headstones and markers are inscribed with the name of the deceased, the years of birth and death, and branch of service. Optional items that also may be inscribed at VA expense are: military grade, rank or rate; war service such as World War II; months and days of birth and death; an emblem reflecting one's beliefs; valor awards; and the Purple Heart. Additional items may be inscribed at private expense.

When burial is in a national, state veteran or military cemetery, the headstone marker is ordered through the cemetery, inscription, shipping and placement can be obtained from the cemetery.

When burial occurs in a cemetery other than a national, military post or state veterans cemetery, the headstone marker must be applied for from VA. It is shipped at government expense. The VA, however, does not pay the cost of placing the headstone or marker on the grave. To apply, you must complete VA form 40-1330 and forward it to Director, Office of Memorial Programs (403A), National Cemetery System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Forms and assistance are available at VA application you may call the Director, Office of Memorial Programs at 1-800-697-6947.

VA cannot issue a headstone or marker for a spouse or child buried in a private cemetery. Twenty-year reservists without active duty service are eligible for a headstone or marker, if they are entitled to military retired pay at the time of death.


Where can I get more information on Veterans benefits?

For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs at www.va.gov.

Probating a will?

A Will is probated upon death.  Probate is a legal process which establishes the genuineness of the Will.  Gloucester County Surrogate, Helen M. Reed will make this determination.  Probate has to be opened in the County where the decedent resided at his/her time of death.  A Will does not need to be probated if there are no titled assets in the decedent's name alone.  If the decedent does have titled assets in their name alone, then the Will must be probated, regardless of the value of the estate. The Executor must bring the original Will and origianl death certificate into the Surrogate's office to probate.  If the Will is valid, the Executor will be appointed by the Surrogate and given the authority to transfer the decedent's assets.A short certificate is the document issued by the Surrogate that the Executor will use as proof of their authority to transfer or sell the decedent's assets. A short certificate will be needed for the transfer or sale of every asset in the decedent's name alone.  Determine how many assets there are and that is how many shorts will be needed. Typically, a short certificate is valid for up to a year.  However, some places will only accept one dated within 60 days.  The Will may be offered for Probate anytime after the death occurs; however, the Surrogate cannot issue anything until the eleventh day.  Please be advised that the fee for probating a Will starts at $100.00.  Please see the fee's section of this website for exact cost. It is not necessary to make an appointment to probate a Will and this office does not require you to be represented by an Attorney. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call 856-853-3282.