Report Death to SSA: How to Notify Social Security When Someone Dies

The Funeral Director Usually Reports It First

Most funeral homes electronically report deaths to the Social Security Administration through the Electronic Death Registration system. This automated process is why SSA often knows before you make the call.

But automated doesn't mean reliable. The electronic system occasionally fails, records get delayed, and sometimes the funeral home simply misses the step. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you cannot afford to wait and hope the notification went through. An unreported death means benefits keep depositing — and SSA will claw every dollar back.

How to Report a Death to Social Security by Phone

Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. You cannot report a death online — SSA requires a phone call or an in-person visit to your local field office.

Have these ready before you dial:

• The deceased's Social Security number
• Your Social Security number (if you're the surviving spouse)
• The date and place of death
• The deceased's date and place of birth

The representative will update the records and tell you whether the deceased's final benefit payment needs to be returned. They'll also let you know if you or anyone in the family qualifies for survivor benefits or the one-time $255 lump-sum death payment.

What Happens to Benefits After the Death

SSA does not prorate benefits for the month of death. If someone dies on March 10, the payment that arrives in April — covering March — is unauthorized and must be returned in full. This catches many families off guard.

If the payment was direct-deposited, contact the bank immediately. The bank can return the funds electronically to the Treasury before the money gets spent or commingled with joint account transactions. If you received a paper check, do not cash it — return it to your local SSA office.

Failing to return an overpayment triggers SSA's recovery process. They'll withhold any underpayment owed to the deceased, withhold the $255 death benefit, and pursue family members who lived in the same household. The estate itself can also be liable.

Who Can Report and Who Gets Survivor Benefits

Any family member can report the death. Common categories of survivors who may qualify for benefits include:

• Surviving spouse generally age 60 or older (50–59 if disabled) after a marriage of at least nine months — may receive between 71.5% and 100% of the deceased's benefit depending on age
• Surviving spouse or divorced spouse at any age if caring for the deceased's child under 16 or with a disability
• Unmarried children under 18 (or 18–19 if attending elementary or secondary school full-time), or at any age if a disability began before age 22
• Surviving divorced spouse age 60 or older (50–59 if disabled) after a marriage of at least 10 years
• Dependent parents age 62 or older who were financially supported by the deceased

The $255 lump-sum death payment may go to a surviving spouse who lived with the deceased or was eligible for monthly survivor benefits on the deceased's record for the month of death, or, if there is no eligible spouse, to a child eligible for monthly benefits for that month. It does not go to the estate or to adult children who aren't receiving benefits.

After You Call: What to Do Next

Reporting the death is one notification in a long list. You'll also need to contact Medicare (if applicable), the IRS to establish your fiduciary authority, credit bureaus to prevent identity theft, the DMV, the post office, and every financial institution that held the deceased's accounts.

The Government Notifications Master Checklist walks through every agency notification in order — including phone numbers, required documents, and scripts for each call — so nothing falls through the cracks while you're managing everything else.