If a person goes missing, can his survivors receive any government benefits?

[raccoon]

I was reading today about a man in my state who went missing. As far as I know, he has not been seen for a little over a year, and his body has not been found.

In a case like that, it’s my understanding that person can’t be declared dead until it’s been seven years without any kind of contact or a body.
would the man’s family be able to get Any life insurance or Social Security benefits, until he’s been declared dead?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

1. Depends on how the person is missing.

Missing as in just disappeared? or missing as in was last seen kayaking in a storm?

The latter might speed up a determination.

[Sneederbunk]

2. Dateline missing?

[raccoon]

5. Not on Dateline that I know of.

[raccoon]

4. Just disappeared. Thinking he was being followed, he ran into the woods, and never came out.

He's been gone almost a year, and no body has been found.

[Shermann]

3. With Social Security, the surviving spouse would have to settle for spousal benefits instead of survivor benefits

If the missing spouse hasn't filed for benefits yet, that could be thorny.

[Stardust Mirror]

6. Alex, for $400 I'll take

"What recent Google search do Eric, Don Jr. and Ivanka have in common?"