The government will instantly stop SSN payments when people die. They will not automatically transfer over payments.A widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse cannot apply online for survivors benefits. You should contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to request an appointment. (If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.)
There is no way to get the survivor benefit transferred online. What worked was calling the above number. I had to have the SSNs for my mother and father handy.
The gal on the phone confirmed my father's passing and is currently stating that a phone appointment will be setup with my mother. More details as I have it. But this shit is HORRIBLY documented. 500,000 people died thanks to COVID-19 and we live in a country where the one thing a grieving spouse needs to do requires digging the info and making a call and fuck you you're on your own. It should be automatic that this payment is transferred if it is higher for the surviving spouse.