What happens to Social Security when someone dies

When a Social Security beneficiary dies, you must report the death to Social Security. The agency stops the person's monthly payments and may owe money to their estate or surviving family members. Survivors — a spouse, children, or parents — may receive monthly benefits based on the deceased person's earnings record, and there is a one-time payment of $255 that goes to a surviving spouse or minor children living in the same household.

The person who reports the death does not have to be a family member. A funeral home, hospital, or anyone handling the person's affairs can make the report. Social Security does not automatically learn about deaths from death certificates or other government agencies, so someone must contact them directly.

Key Takeaways

  • You can report a death to Social Security by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting a local Social Security office, or using the online form at ssa.gov if you have a my Social Security account.
  • The person reporting the death should have the deceased's Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death ready.
  • Surviving spouses, children under 19 (or 23 if in school full-time), and disabled adult children may receive monthly survivor benefits based on the deceased's work record.
  • A one-time $255 payment is available to a surviving spouse or to unmarried children under 18 living with the deceased at the time of death.
  • If the deceased was receiving benefits, any payment received after the month of death must be returned to Social Security.

How to report a death to Social Security

The fastest way to report is by phone: call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Have the deceased's Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death available. The representative will ask whether the person was receiving benefits and will take down the name and phone number of the person reporting the death.

You can also report in person at your local Social Security office. Find the office nearest you at ssa.gov/locator. Bring the death certificate or a copy of it, though Social Security may accept a verbal report and request the certificate later.

If you have a my Social Security account for the deceased person, you can report the death online through that account. This option is available only if the account was already set up before death.

Who receives survivor benefits and how much

Survivor benefits are monthly payments based on the deceased person's Social Security earnings record. The amount each survivor receives depends on the deceased's benefit amount and how many family members are receiving benefits at the same time. Social Security has a family maximum — the total paid to all survivors cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of what the deceased was receiving, though the exact percentage varies.

A surviving spouse can receive benefits at any age if caring for the deceased's child under 16, or at age 60 or older (reduced amount) or age 66 or older (full amount, depending on the year of birth). A surviving spouse who was divorced from the deceased can also receive benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and the ex-spouse is at least 60 years old.

Unmarried children of the deceased can receive benefits until age 18, or until age 19 if still in high school full-time. Disabled adult children can receive benefits at any age if the disability began before age 22 and they remain disabled. Parents of the deceased can receive benefits if they were dependent on the deceased for at least half their support and are age 62 or older.

The one-time $255 death payment

Social Security pays a one-time lump sum of $255 to help cover funeral costs or other when ready expenses. This payment goes to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased at the time of death, or to unmarried children under 18 (or 19 if in school) who were living with the deceased.

If there is no surviving spouse or children living with the deceased, the $255 does not go to other relatives or the estate. The payment is made only once, regardless of how many survivors there are. If multiple family members are receiving survivor benefits, they do not each receive the $255 — it is a single payment divided among those who are may have access to to it.

What to do if the deceased was receiving benefits

If the person who died was receiving Social Security benefits, any payment deposited after the month of death must be returned. For example, if someone dies in March, the March payment can be kept, but the April payment and any later payments must go back to Social Security.

If the payment was direct deposited, Social Security will contact the bank and request the return. If a check was mailed, do not cash it — return it to Social Security with a note explaining the death. You can mail it to the address on the check or bring it to a local Social Security office.

If you have already spent the money, contact Social Security to discuss repayment options. They may set up a payment plan rather than demanding the full amount at once.

Documents you may need

To report a death and begin the survivor benefits process, have these documents ready or available:

  • The deceased's Social Security number
  • The deceased's date of birth
  • The date of death
  • A death certificate (original or certified copy)
  • Birth certificates for any children explore for survivor benefits
  • Marriage certificate if a spouse is explore
  • Divorce decree if an ex-spouse is explore
  • Medical evidence of disability if an adult child is explore

Social Security will tell you which documents they need when you report the death or when a survivor applies for benefits. You do not have to provide everything at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I report someone's death to Social Security online?

You can report through a my Social Security account if one was already set up for the deceased person. Otherwise, you must call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office in person. Funeral homes can also report deaths on behalf of families.

What if I receive a Social Security payment after someone dies?

Any payment received in the month after death or later must be returned to Social Security. If it was direct deposited, Social Security will request it from the bank. If it was a check, return it unopened or contact Social Security to arrange repayment if you have already cashed it.

How long does it take to receive survivor benefits after reporting a death?

The time varies depending on whether the person was already receiving benefits and whether survivors have already applied. If the deceased was receiving benefits, survivors may receive their first payment within one to two months. If the deceased was not receiving benefits, the process may take longer.

Can a grandchild receive survivor benefits if the parent is not receiving Social Security?

Grandchildren can receive survivor benefits only if they were legally adopted by the deceased or if both parents are deceased or disabled. The deceased grandparent's earnings record must be substantial enough to support the benefit. Contact Social Security to discuss your specific situation.

Does reporting a death affect my own Social Security benefits?

Reporting someone else's death does not change your benefits. If you are a survivor of the deceased and become may have access to to survivor benefits, that is a separate process from reporting the death itself.