Who needs to report the death and when

You should report a death to Social Security as soon as possible after someone passes away. The person who reports can be a family member, a funeral director, or anyone handling the deceased's affairs — Social Security does not restrict who makes the call.

The sooner you report, the sooner Social Security stops paying benefits to that person's account. If payments continue after death and money is sent to a bank account or representative payee, Social Security will eventually ask for that money back. Reporting right away prevents overpayments that create debt later.

You do not need to wait for an official death certificate, though you will need to provide one eventually. A phone call with basic information starts the process when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Social Security's main number at 1-800-772-1213 to report a death; you can report by phone without waiting for paperwork.
  • Have the deceased's Social Security number and date of death ready when you call, along with the name of the person reporting.
  • Social Security will ask whether the person was receiving retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, and whether they were receiving Medicare.
  • You will need to mail or bring an original or certified death certificate to Social Security within a few months to complete the report.
  • Family members may become may have access to to survivor benefits after a death, and reporting triggers the process to determine who qualifies.

How to make the initial report by phone

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Tell the representative that you are calling to report a death. Have the following information ready:

  • The deceased person's full name
  • Their Social Security number
  • The date of death
  • Your name and relationship to the deceased
  • Your phone number

The representative will ask whether the person was receiving Social Security retirement benefits, disability benefits (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). They will also ask whether the person was enrolled in Medicare. Answer what you know; if you are unsure, say so and the representative can look it up using the Social Security number.

The phone call itself does not complete the report. Social Security will tell you that a death certificate must arrive by mail or in person within a set timeframe — usually 30 to 60 days, though this varies. Write down the address where to send it and any reference number the representative gives you.

Obtaining and submitting the death certificate

The death certificate is issued by the county or state where the death occurred, not by Social Security. The funeral director typically obtains multiple certified copies as part of their services, and you can request additional copies from them. If you are handling the death yourself without a funeral director, contact the vital records office in the county where the person died.

You need an original or certified copy of the death certificate — a photocopy or a document printed from an online database will not be accepted. Certified copies have an official seal and signature from the vital records office. Order at least three or four copies; you will need one for Social Security and may need others for banks, insurance companies, and other institutions.

Mail the death certificate to the Social Security office address the representative gave you, or bring it in person to your local Social Security office. Include a note with the deceased's name, Social Security number, and your contact information. Social Security will not return the certificate, so do not send your only copy.

What happens after you report

Once Social Security receives the death certificate, the account is officially closed and benefit payments stop. If payments were being deposited to a bank account, the bank may hold the final deposit for a few days while Social Security processes the death notice.

If the deceased was receiving benefits as a representative payee — meaning someone else managed the account on their behalf — that person may be asked to return any overpayment. Social Security calculates whether money was paid after the date of death and sends a notice if a refund is owed.

Family members may become may have access to to survivor benefits based on the deceased's work record. Social Security will send notices to anyone who may may have access to, including a widow or widower, children under 19 (or up to 23 if in school full-time), and parents age 62 or older who depended on the deceased for income. You do not need to do anything to trigger these notices — they are sent automatically once the death is recorded.

Reporting a death for someone receiving SSI

If the deceased was receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rather than retirement or disability benefits, the reporting process is the same by phone, but the follow-up is slightly different. SSI is a needs-based program for people with low income and resources, and it does not create survivor benefits the way retirement and disability do.

After you report an SSI death, Social Security will still need the death certificate. They will also ask about any money or property the deceased left behind, because SSI rules require that any remaining funds go back to the government to repay benefits. This is separate from any debt owed for overpayments after death.

If you are the executor of the estate or responsible for handling the deceased's property, Social Security may contact you about recovering funds. Having the death certificate ready speeds up this process.

Reporting a death online or by mail

Social Security does not offer an online form to report a death directly through their website. The phone call is the fastest and most reliable method because a representative can answer questions and confirm the information when ready.

If you cannot call, you can mail a letter to your local Social Security office with the deceased's name, Social Security number, date of death, and your contact information. Include a copy of the death certificate if you have it. Mail takes longer than a phone call, and you will not receive confirmation that the report was received until Social Security processes it.

Some funeral homes offer to report the death to Social Security on behalf of the family. If your funeral director offers this service, confirm that they will send the death certificate and follow up to may support the report is complete.

What to do if there is an overpayment

An overpayment occurs when Social Security sends a benefit check or deposit after the person has died. This happens because there is a delay between the date of death and the date Social Security processes the report. The overpayment is not your fault, but Social Security will ask for the money back.

If you received a check or deposit after the death, do not spend it. Contact Social Security and explain that you received a payment after the person died. They will send you a notice stating the amount owed and your options to repay. You can repay in full, request a payment plan, or ask Social Security to review the overpayment if you believe it was an error.

If the money was deposited to a bank account, the bank may freeze the account or hold the funds pending Social Security's instructions. This is normal and does not mean you have done anything wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I report a death to Social Security before I have the death certificate?

Yes. Call 1-800-772-1213 and report the death with the person's name, Social Security number, and date of death. Social Security will start the process when ready. You will have 30 to 60 days to mail or bring the original death certificate to complete the report.

What if the person was not receiving Social Security benefits?

You should still report the death if the person had a Social Security number and was of working age. Social Security needs to close the account to prevent identity theft and fraud. Call the main number and explain that the person was not receiving benefits but had a Social Security account.

Do I need to report the death to Medicare separately?

No. When you report the death to Social Security, the representative will ask whether the person had Medicare. Social Security notifies Medicare automatically, and the Medicare account will be closed. You do not need to make a separate call.

Who receives survivor benefits after someone dies?

A widow or widower at any age if caring for a child under 16, a widow or widower age 60 or older, children under 19 (or up to 23 if attending school full-time), and parents age 62 or older who depended on the deceased for at least half their income. Social Security sends notices to anyone who may may have access to.

What if I cannot find the death certificate?

Contact the vital records office in the county where the person died. You can order a certified copy by mail, phone, or online. The office will charge a fee, usually between $10 and $30 depending on the state. Provide the person's full name, date of birth, and date of death.