Who needs to report the death, and when
You do not have to be a family member to report a death to Social Security. A funeral director, nursing home, hospital, or anyone handling the person's affairs can make the report. The sooner you report, the sooner Social Security stops paying benefits to that person's account — which matters because any payments made after death have to be returned, and the faster you report, the less money accumulates that will need to be repaid.
There is no hard deadline, but Social Security will eventually discover the death through state vital records. The longer you wait, the more overpayment builds up. If the person was receiving benefits, report within a few days if possible. If they were not receiving benefits but had a Social Security account, there is less urgency, but reporting still prevents confusion later.
Key Takeaways
- A funeral director can report the death directly to Social Security as part of their standard work, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 yourself.
- Social Security will stop the person's own benefits immediately, but any family members receiving benefits on that person's record must report the death separately to their local office.
- Any money paid to the deceased person after the month of death must be returned; the faster you report, the smaller the overpayment.
- If the person was receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), report to your local Social Security office in person or by phone, not online.
- Surviving spouses and children may be may have access to to survivor benefits based on the deceased person's work record, but you must report the death first.
How to report through a funeral director
Most funeral homes report deaths to Social Security as a routine part of their work. When you meet with the funeral director to plan the service, tell them the person was receiving Social Security benefits or had a Social Security account. The funeral director will ask for the person's Social Security number and will submit the report electronically to Social Security. This usually happens within one to three business days.
You do not need to do anything yourself if the funeral director handles it — they will have the information they need from you during the planning process. However, confirm with the funeral home that they will report to Social Security. If you are unsure whether they did, you can call Social Security yourself to verify.
How to report by phone or in person
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Have the person's Social Security number ready. You can report any day of the week; the line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Tell the representative the person has died and provide the date of death. They will ask for your name, relationship to the deceased, and contact information.
If the person was receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must report in person at your local Social Security office or by phone — do not use the online report form. SSI is a needs-based program, and the office needs to know immediately so they can stop payments and adjust any other household benefits. Find your local office at ssa.gov/locator.
If you prefer to report in person, bring the person's Social Security card or number, a death certificate or funeral home paperwork showing the date of death, and your own ID. The office will process the report on the spot.
What happens after you report
Social Security will stop paying benefits to the deceased person's account in the month after death. For example, if someone dies on March 15, their March benefit is paid, but no April benefit is issued. Any April payment that was already deposited must be returned to Social Security.
If family members were receiving benefits on the deceased person's record — such as a surviving spouse or children — those benefits do not stop automatically. Each family member must report the death to their local Social Security office or call the main number. Social Security will then determine whether they are may have access to to survivor benefits, which are separate payments based on the deceased person's work record.
If an overpayment occurred (money paid after the month of death), Social Security will send a notice explaining the amount owed. You can request a repayment plan if the amount is large. The funeral home or estate may be responsible for repaying it, depending on state law and the circumstances.
Survivor benefits for family members
Reporting the death is the first step toward survivor benefits. A widow or widower age 60 or older, a widow or widower of any age caring for the deceased's child under 16, or unmarried children under 19 (or up to 22 if in school full-time) may receive monthly payments based on the deceased person's Social Security record. The amount depends on how much the person earned and paid into Social Security.
After you report the death, Social Security will contact family members to explain what they may receive. You do not need to apply separately for survivor benefits — Social Security will determine who is may have access to based on the information you provide. However, you do need to report the death first, and each family member should confirm their status with Social Security within a few weeks.
What documents you may need
To report a death, have the person's Social Security number and the date of death ready. A death certificate is helpful but not required at the moment of reporting — you can provide it later if Social Security asks. If you are reporting by phone, the representative may ask for your relationship to the deceased and your contact information.
If you are reporting in person at a Social Security office, bring the person's Social Security card or number, a death certificate or other proof of death (funeral home paperwork works), and your own ID. If you are reporting on behalf of an estate or as a representative, bring documentation of your authority to act.
Reporting deaths for people not receiving benefits
If the person had a Social Security number but was not receiving retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, you can still report the death to Social Security. This prevents the account from being used fraudulently and clears the record. Call 1-800-772-1213 with the person's Social Security number and date of death.
There is no deadline for reporting a death when the person was not receiving benefits, but doing so protects the account. Social Security will eventually learn of the death through state vital records, but reporting directly is faster and prevents confusion if someone tries to use the number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report the death if the funeral home is handling it?
The funeral home will report to Social Security as part of their standard process, so you do not have to call. However, confirm with the funeral director that they will do this. If you want to report yourself or verify it was reported, call 1-800-772-1213 with the person's Social Security number.
What if I already received a payment after the person died?
Social Security will send you a notice asking for the money back. You can request a repayment plan if the amount is large. Contact your local Social Security office to discuss options. The overpayment may also be deducted from any survivor benefits owed to family members.
Can I report online?
Social Security does not have a public online form to report a death. Use the phone line (1-800-772-1213) or visit your local office in person. If the person was receiving SSI, you must call or visit in person — online reporting is not available for SSI deaths.
How long does it take for benefits to stop after I report?
Social Security stops the person's own benefits in the month after death. If you report right away, the next month's payment will not be issued. Processing the report itself usually takes one to three business days, but the benefit stop is automatic once reported.
Will my family members' benefits stop if I report the death?
No. Reporting the death stops only the deceased person's benefits. Family members receiving benefits on that person's record must report the death separately to their local office. After they report, Social Security will determine whether they are may have access to to survivor benefits instead.