Who reports the death and when

You do not have to report a death to Social Security yourself — the funeral home, hospital, or state vital records office often does it automatically. But if none of those happen, or if you want to make sure the report reaches Social Security quickly, you can call or visit in person.

The sooner Social Security knows, the sooner they stop paying benefits to the person who died. If they keep paying and you cash the checks, you will owe that money back. Report within days if you can, not weeks.

You will need the person's Social Security number, date of birth, and the date they died. Have the death certificate handy if you have it, though you do not need to mail it unless Social Security asks.

Key Takeaways

  • Funeral homes and hospitals often report deaths to Social Security automatically, but you can report it yourself by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting a local Social Security office.
  • Report as soon as possible after the death to stop benefit payments and avoid overpayments you would have to repay.
  • If the person received benefits on someone else's record (as a spouse or child), that person's record holder should also be notified so their benefits can be adjusted.
  • Surviving family members may be may have access to to survivor benefits, which Social Security will discuss once the death is reported.

Reporting by phone or in person

Call Social Security's main number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers). Have the person's Social Security number ready. Tell them the person has died and provide the date of death. They will ask for your name and relationship to the person who died.

If you prefer to report in person, find your local Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator or call the main number and ask for the address. Bring the death certificate if you have it, though it is not required to start the process. An office visit can be useful if the person's record is complicated or if you have questions about survivor benefits at the same time.

Phone reporting is usually faster. Most calls are answered within 15 to 20 minutes during business hours, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time.

What happens after you report

Social Security will update their records to show the person is deceased. They will stop paying monthly benefits immediately or at the end of the month in which the person died, depending on when the death occurred and when they process the report.

If the person was receiving benefits, Social Security will send a letter to the address on file explaining what happens next. If checks continue to arrive after the death, do not cash them. Return them to Social Security or contact your local office to arrange repayment.

If the person was the primary earner on a record and others received benefits based on that record (a spouse, ex-spouse, or children), Social Security will contact those people separately. Their benefits may change or end depending on their age and relationship to the person who died.

Survivor benefits for family members

When you report a death, ask Social Security whether surviving family members may receive survivor benefits. Spouses, ex-spouses, children, and sometimes parents can receive monthly payments based on the person's earnings record.

The amount and who qualifies depends on the person's age at death, how long they worked, and the family member's age or status. A widow or widower can receive benefits at age 60, or at any age if caring for a child under 16. Children can receive benefits until age 19 if still in high school, or up to age 16 if not in school.

Social Security will explain these options when you report the death. You do not need to do anything else to start the process — they will reach out to family members on file.

If the funeral home or hospital already reported

Many funeral homes report deaths to Social Security as part of their standard process. Hospitals and state vital records offices do the same. You can call Social Security to confirm whether they have received notice before you report it yourself.

If you are unsure whether the death has been reported, calling to confirm takes only a few minutes and prevents delays. Social Security can tell you immediately whether the person's record shows a death date.

Handling overpayments

If Social Security paid benefits after the person died and you received those payments, you will be asked to return the money. This is called an overpayment. Social Security will send a letter explaining the amount owed and your options for repayment.

You can usually arrange a payment plan rather than paying in one lump sum. If you believe the overpayment was Social Security's error, you can request a waiver, though this is rarely granted. Contact your local office to discuss your situation and what repayment looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report the death if the funeral home already did?

No, but you can call to confirm Social Security received the report. If you are unsure whether it went through, a quick call to 1-800-772-1213 takes a few minutes and prevents delays in stopping payments or processing survivor benefits.

What if I receive a check after the person died?

Do not cash it. Return it to Social Security with a note explaining the person is deceased, or contact your local office to arrange repayment. If you already cashed it, you will owe that amount back, but you can set up a payment plan.

Can family members get benefits after someone dies?

Yes. Spouses, ex-spouses, children, and sometimes parents can receive survivor benefits based on the person's earnings record. Social Security will explain who qualifies and how much they receive when you report the death.

How long does it take for Social Security to stop paying after I report?

Social Security usually stops payments immediately or at the end of the month in which the death occurred, depending on when you report and when they process it. The exact timing depends on the person's payment schedule and when Social Security updates their records.

What documents do I need to report a death?

You need the person's Social Security number, date of birth, and the date they died. A death certificate is helpful but not required to start the report. Social Security may ask for it later if they need to verify the death.