Senior Resource Directory Senior Resource Directory

DEATH & RELATED SERVICES
Benefi ts
Social Security
Administration
A family member or other person
re spon si ble for the benefi ciary’s affairs
should do the following when
a ben e fi cia ry dies:
• Promptly notify Social Security
of the benefi ciary’s death by
calling toll free 800-772-1213.
• If monthly benefi ts were being
paid via direct deposit, notify
the bank or other fi nancial
in sti tu tion of the benefi ciary’s
death. Request that any funds
received for the month of
death and later be returned to
Social Security as soon as possible.
• If benefi ts were being paid by
check, do not cash any checks
received for the month in
which the ben e fi cia ry died or
thereafter. Return the checks
to Social Security as soon as
possible.
Veterans
There are many benefi ts such
as life insurance, burial expense
re im burse ment, burial fl ag, burial
in national cemeteries, head stones/
markers and certain widow’s/
widower’s benefi ts. For information
call or visit one of the offi ces
listed below.
Veterans Administration
800-827-1000
You can call the VA office for
in for ma tion on death-related
and other services available to
vet er ans and their families.
Veterans Administration
Outpatient Clinic
4440 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
683-1491
877-252-4866
Fax 683-3631
A Veteran’s Benefits Counselor
from the American Legion provides
information and as sis tance
with application for ben e fits on
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on
walk-in basis. Ap point ment
preferred.
Veterans Service Offi ces
315 Camino del Remedio
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
681-4500
108 E Locust St.
Lompoc, CA 93436
737-7900
511 E. Lakeside Pkwy. # 47
Santa Maria, CA 93454
346-7160
These offices were established by
the Board of Supervisors of Santa
Barbara County to assist veterans
and their dependents in obtaining
Veterans benefits from federal
and state agencies. They will assist
in sub mit ting claims and provide
follow-up service, if needed,
to assure that you receive the
benefits to which you are entitled.
They can provide you with
information and assistance with
any claim to the Veterans Administration.
Home visits by one of
the veterans rep re sen ta tives may
be arranged.
Other
Some unions and fraternal or ga -
ni za tions have benefi ts. Contact
any organizations that you belong
to and ask if benefi ts are available.
The Public Administrator under
certain conditions can administer
a decedent’s estate. Call for more
information: 568-2790.
Burial and Cre ma tion
In for ma tion
The Yellow Pages of the tele phone
directory has listings for “Funeral
Directors, Services” and “Cremation
Services.” In ad di tion, there
is one nonprofi t organization
in Santa Barbara that provides
22 2005-2007 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SENIOR RESOURCE DIRECTORY
low-cost burial and/or cremation
services.
Funeral Consumers Alliance-
Channel Cities
P.O. Box 1778
Ojai, CA 93024-1778
692-2464
800-520-7526
Offers information and education
on low cost funeral, cremation,
and burials.
International Cemetery and
Funeral Association
107 Carpenter Dr.,Ste 100
Sterling, VA 20164
800-645-7700
www.icfa.org
Cemetery and Funeral Bureau
Department of Consumer Affairs
400R Street
Sacramento, A 958141
800-952-5210
916-322-7737
www.cfb.ca.gov
Licenses and regulates the California
funeral and cemetery industries
Also investigates complaints
against funeral homes, cemeteries
and individual licensees. Publishes
“Consumer Guide to Funeral &
Cemetery Purchases.”
Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
Washington, CD 20580
877-FTC-HELP
202-326-2502 TDD
www.ftc.gob
North American Cemetery
Regulatory Assoc.
c/o Cemetery & Funeral Home
Section Consumer Protection
Division
Offi ce of the Attorney General
1024 Capital Center Dr.
Frankfort, KY 40601
Death Certifi cates
A funeral director will usually obtain
copies of the death cer tifi cate
for you. Certifi ed death certifi cates
are usually required for benefi ts