How to Notify Social Security of a Death

To notify Social Security of a death, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit a local Social Security office. The death cannot be reported online. If a funeral home is handling the arrangements, the funeral director will usually report the death for you once you give them the person’s Social Security number, so ask before you call.

Reporting the death promptly stops benefit payments, helps prevent identity theft, and starts the process for any survivor benefits the family may qualify for. This guide covers who reports it, what to have ready, and what happens to benefits afterward.

Who Reports the Death to Social Security?

If a funeral home is helping with the arrangements, the funeral director usually reports the death. Otherwise the responsibility falls to the next of kin or the executor of the estate. If you are not sure it was done, call Social Security to confirm.

How to Report a Death to Social Security, Step by Step

Gather the person’s information

Before you call or visit, collect the following about the person who died:

• Full legal name
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Date of death
• Place of death (city and state)
• Mother’s maiden name, which may be asked for identity verification

If you cannot find the Social Security number, check old tax returns, W-2 forms, pay stubs, and bank or Medicare statements. The executor or the person’s attorney may also have it.

Choose how to report the death

Social Security does not accept death reports online. You can report it in one of these ways:

• By phone: Call 1-800-772-1213. Calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon helps you avoid long waits. If you are hearing impaired, use the TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
• In person: Visit your local Social Security office and bring the documents listed below.
• Through the funeral home: Give the funeral director the person’s Social Security number and ask them to report the death.

A my Social Security account is useful for managing your own benefits, but it cannot be used to report a death.

Collect the documents you may need

You do not always need these for the first report, but you will need them to claim survivor benefits:

• Death certificate: A certified copy, available from the funeral home or the local health department. Our guide to the legal pronouncement of death explains how it differs from the death certificate.
• Proof of identity: A valid government-issued photo ID for the person reporting, such as a driver’s license or passport.
• Marriage certificate or divorce decree: If you are reporting the death of a spouse or ex-spouse, these may be needed to confirm the relationship.

Complete any forms for survivor benefits

There is no form for reporting a death. If you are also claiming survivor benefits, you may need to complete additional forms, which you can get from the Social Security website or a local office.

Notify other organizations

Social Security is only one of the places that need to hear about the death. Also contact:

• The employer: If the person was still working, notify their employer so they can handle employee benefits and the final paycheck.
• Medicare and any private plans: Social Security shares the death with Medicare, but it is worth confirming with any Medicare Advantage, drug, or supplement plan the person had.
• Life insurance companies: File a claim with the provider if the person had a policy.

Our checklist of what to do after a loved one dies lists the other calls and tasks in order.

Follow up

After you report the death, call Social Security to confirm that it was processed and that nothing else is needed from you.

What Happens to Social Security Benefits After Someone Dies?

Benefits stop. No payment is made for the month of death. For example, if the person dies in July, the payment normally received in August must be returned, and any payment deposited after the death has to be paid back.

Eligible family members may qualify for a one-time $255 death payment and for monthly survivor benefits. The surviving spouse and qualifying children are the usual recipients. Ask Social Security which benefits apply to your family’s situation.

Why It’s Important to Report the Death Promptly

There is no strict deadline for reporting a death, but waiting causes problems:

• Overpayments: Social Security may keep sending payments to the person’s bank account. Those payments must be returned, which can put a financial strain on survivors.
• Identity theft: An unreported death can leave personal information vulnerable, because the Social Security number may still be active.
• Delayed survivor benefits: Late reporting can hold up the benefits surviving family members are entitled to claim.

Resources for Reporting a Death to Social Security

• Social Security Administration: Official information on benefits, survivor benefits, and reporting a death.
• How to find a will: Where to look if you are not sure whether the person left one.
• Find a funeral home near you: Browse funeral homes that can help with arrangements and with reporting the death.
• Create an obituary: Honor your loved one and share their story with family and friends.
• Find an obituary for a specific person: Search obituaries on FuneralHomes.com.

Conclusion

Reporting a death to Social Security is one of the first tasks after a loss, and it is simple if you have the right information ready. Call 1-800-772-1213, visit a local office, or ask the funeral home to report it, and keep the person’s Social Security number and a certified death certificate on hand.

If you want to honor your loved one’s memory, you can create an obituary on FuneralHomes.com, or find an obituary for a specific person in our listings. You can also browse funeral homes by state, including Texas, Florida, California, and New York.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I notify Social Security of a death?

Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. Have the person’s full name, Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death ready.

Who notifies Social Security of a death?

A funeral home usually does it, if you give the funeral director the person’s Social Security number. Confirm this with them so the death is not missed or reported twice. If no funeral home is involved, the next of kin or the executor of the estate reports it.

Can I report a death online?

No. Social Security does not take death reports online. Use the phone, a local office, or the funeral home.

How long do I have to report a death to Social Security?

There is no set deadline, but report it as soon as you can. Payments made after the death may have to be returned.

What documents are needed to report a death to Social Security?

You can usually make the first report with the person’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death. A certified death certificate, a photo ID for the person reporting, and a marriage certificate or divorce decree for a spouse or ex-spouse may be needed to claim survivor benefits.

How do I report a death to Medicare?

Social Security shares the death with Medicare, so you usually do not need to report it to Medicare separately. Contact any Medicare Advantage, drug, or supplement plan the person had directly to cancel their coverage.

What happens to Social Security benefits after someone dies?

Benefits stop. No payment is made for the month of death, and any payment received for that month or later must be returned. Eligible family members may qualify for a one-time $255 death payment and for monthly survivor benefits.

Do I need a death certificate to report a death?

Not always at the time of the call. You will likely need a certified copy to claim survivor benefits and to settle accounts with other organizations.