Who reports the death and where to report it
The funeral home usually reports the death to Social Security automatically. When you arrange the funeral, tell the funeral director you want them to notify Social Security — most do this as part of their standard process, and it costs nothing. If the funeral home does not offer this, you can report the death yourself by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office in person.
You do not need to wait for a death certificate to report the death. Social Security can begin the process with just the person's name, date of birth, and Social Security number. However, you will eventually need to provide an official death certificate — the funeral home can order copies for you, or you can request them from the vital records office in the county where the death occurred.
If the person who died received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to regular Social Security benefits, report the death to SSI as well. You can do this through the same phone call or office visit — Social Security staff will handle both programs.
Key Takeaways
- The funeral home can report the death to Social Security for you at no cost, and this is the fastest way to stop benefits and prevent overpayments.
- You can report the death yourself by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting a local Social Security office if the funeral home does not do it.
- Social Security does not need a death certificate to start the process, but you will need to provide one eventually.
- Any money Social Security paid after the person's death must be returned, so reporting quickly protects you from having to repay large amounts later.
- If the person received SSI benefits, report that separately or mention it during the same call so both programs stop.
What happens after you report the death
Once Social Security receives notice of the death, the agency stops the person's monthly benefit payments. This usually takes a few days to process. If a payment arrives after the death, you must return it — Social Security will send you instructions on how to do this, usually by mail.
Social Security will contact you (or the person's family) if there are any questions about the death or if the agency needs additional documents. Keep the death certificate and any letters from Social Security in a safe place, because you may need them to settle the person's estate or to handle other financial matters.
Survivor benefits for family members
When someone who received Social Security dies, their family members may be may have access to to survivor benefits. These include the person's spouse (at any age if caring for a child under 16, or at age 60 or older), children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school), and dependent parents age 62 or older. Each family member must have their own Social Security number and must be reported separately to receive benefits.
Survivor benefits are not automatic — you must contact Social Security to report each family member who may be may have access to. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office with the family member's Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of relationship to the person who died (such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate).
Returning overpayments and managing the estate
If Social Security paid benefits after the person's death, the agency will calculate how much was overpaid and send a bill. You can pay this amount from the person's bank account or estate. If you cannot pay the full amount at once, you can request a payment plan by contacting Social Security in writing or by phone.
If the person's estate is small or if there is no estate to settle, Social Security may write off the overpayment. This is not may provide, but you can ask about it when you receive the bill. Keep all correspondence from Social Security about the overpayment in case questions arise later.
Reporting the death for Medicare
If the person who died had Medicare, you should also notify Medicare. You can do this by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or by visiting Medicare.gov. Medicare will stop coverage and any monthly premiums the person was paying. If the person had a Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug coverage, those will end as well.
Like Social Security, Medicare may have overpaid for services or prescriptions after the death. The agency will contact you if this occurs and will explain how to handle repayment.
Documents you will need
When you report the death, have the following information ready: the person's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and date of death. If you are reporting by phone, you can provide this information verbally. If you are visiting an office in person, bring a photo ID and the death certificate if you have it.
For survivor benefits, you will need birth certificates, marriage certificates (if applicable), and proof of any dependent children. Social Security staff can tell you exactly what documents are needed for each family member when you call or visit.
What to do if you receive a bill you do not understand
Social Security sometimes sends bills for overpayments that are confusing or that you believe are incorrect. Do not ignore the bill. Contact Social Security immediately at 1-800-772-1213 to ask for an explanation. You can request a review of the overpayment decision, and Social Security must respond in writing within 30 days.
If you disagree with the overpayment amount, you have the right to appeal. Social Security will explain the appeal process in the letter that accompanies the bill. Keep copies of all letters and notes about your conversations with Social Security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report the death if the funeral home already did?
No. Once the funeral home reports the death, Social Security has the information it needs. You can verify that the report was received by calling 1-800-772-1213 and asking a representative to confirm the death has been recorded in their system.
What if the person was still working when they died?
Report the death to Social Security as usual. If the person earned income in the year they died, Social Security may need to adjust their benefit record. The agency will contact you if this affects any survivor benefits or overpayments.
Can I report the death online?
Social Security does not have an online form to report a death. You must call 1-800-772-1213, visit a local office, or ask the funeral home to report it. Phone reporting is usually fastest.
How long do I have to report the death?
Report the death as soon as possible. There is no official deadline, but delaying increases the risk that Social Security will overpay and you will owe money back. Most people report within a few days of the death.
What if the person owed Social Security money before they died?
Any overpayment debt the person owed does not disappear when they die. Social Security may attempt to collect from the person's estate. Contact Social Security to discuss repayment options or to request a review of the debt.