Who should report the death, and when
You do not have to be a family member to report a death to Social Security. A funeral director, hospital, nursing home, or anyone handling the person's affairs can make the report. The sooner you report, the better — Social Security stops payments the month after the person dies, but if payments continue by mistake, you may have to repay them later.
If the person was receiving Social Security benefits, report the death as soon as possible. If they were not receiving benefits but had a Social Security number, you should still report it to prevent identity theft and fraud. There is no penalty for reporting late, but delays can complicate things for survivors who are waiting for their own benefits to be processed.
Key Takeaways
- Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to report a death, or visit your local Social Security office in person with a death certificate.
- Have the person's Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death ready when you call or visit.
- Social Security stops monthly payments the month after death, but any payments received after death must be returned.
- Survivors may be may have access to to a one-time death benefit of $255 and ongoing benefits if they meet certain conditions.
- If the person was working, their employer should also be notified so that payroll taxes and final wages are handled correctly.
How to report by phone
Call Social Security's main number at 1-800-772-1213. Have the deceased person's Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death ready. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY number at 1-800-325-0778. Wait times can be long, especially in the first few days after a death, so calling early in the morning or mid-week may be faster.
The representative will ask you to confirm the person's identity and will record the death in their system. They will also tell you what happens next with any benefits the person was receiving and explain what survivors may be may have access to to. If the person was receiving benefits, ask the representative to confirm the final payment date and whether any overpayment exists.
Reporting in person at a Social Security office
You can also report a death by visiting your local Social Security office with an original or certified copy of the death certificate. Bring the person's Social Security card if you have it, along with your own identification. You do not need an appointment, but you may wait longer during peak hours.
Reporting in person can be useful if you have questions about survivor benefits or if there are complications with the account. The office staff can also help you understand what documents you will need if you are applying for a survivor benefit yourself. Many people find it helpful to do this in person because they can ask follow-up questions and get written confirmation of what was reported.
What happens to ongoing payments
Social Security automatically stops monthly payments the month after the person dies. If a payment arrives after death, it must be returned to Social Security. Some families do not realize this and spend the money, which can create a debt later.
If the person was receiving benefits and a payment posts to their bank account after they have died, contact Social Security right away to report it. Do not spend the money. Social Security will send you instructions on how to return it. The sooner you report and return the overpayment, the easier the process is to resolve.
The one-time death benefit and survivor benefits
Social Security pays a one-time lump sum of $255 to a surviving spouse or child if they meet certain conditions. The surviving spouse must have been married to the person for at least nine months (with some exceptions if a child was born of the marriage). A child must be unmarried and under 19, or under 23 if a full-time student, or any age if disabled before age 22.
Surviving spouses, children, and sometimes parents may also be may have access to to ongoing monthly benefits based on the deceased person's work record. These benefits are separate from the one-time payment. To find out whether you or family members may have access to, ask Social Security when you report the death, or contact them later with your relationship to the deceased person and your date of birth.
Notifying other agencies and employers
Beyond Social Security, you will need to report the death to other places. If the person was working, notify their employer so that final wages, unused vacation, and benefits are handled correctly. The employer will also need to report the death to the IRS and state tax authorities.
If the person received Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans benefits, or other government assistance, report the death to those programs as well. Each has its own process, but most can be reported by phone or in person. Reporting prevents overpayments and fraud. You may also want to contact banks, insurance companies, and creditors to report the death and prevent identity theft.
What to do if you receive a bill or notice from Social Security
If Social Security sends you a bill for an overpayment after the person's death, you have the right to request a waiver or to set up a payment plan. You can also request reconsideration if you believe the overpayment was Social Security's error. Write to your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to discuss your options.
Keep copies of all death certificates, correspondence from Social Security, and bank statements showing when payments were received. These documents help if you need to dispute a bill or prove that you reported the death promptly. If the overpayment is large or complicated, consider consulting with a lawyer who handles Social Security matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an original death certificate to report the death?
No. You can report by phone without a death certificate. If you visit an office in person, bring an original or certified copy. Social Security can verify the death through other government records, but having the certificate speeds up the process.
What if the person was not receiving Social Security benefits?
You should still report the death to prevent identity theft and fraud. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. Even if the person was not receiving benefits, reporting closes their account and protects their Social Security number.
How long does it take for Social Security to stop payments?
Payments stop the month after death. If a payment posts after the person has died, it is an overpayment and must be returned. Report the death as soon as possible to minimize overpayments.
Can I report the death online?
Social Security does not have an online death reporting tool. You must call 1-800-772-1213, visit a local office in person, or have a funeral director report it on your behalf. Some funeral homes report deaths automatically as part of their services.
What if I think Social Security made a mistake with the overpayment?
Request reconsideration in writing to your local Social Security office within 60 days of receiving the overpayment notice. Explain why you believe the overpayment was an error. You can also request a waiver if you cannot repay the money or if repaying it would cause hardship.