What to do for Social Security when someone dies? A Complete Guide

In 2023, the Social Security Administration paid benefits to over 5.8 million survivors of deceased workers [1.2.2]. Knowing what to do for Social Security when someone dies is a critical step to ensure benefits are handled correctly and survivors receive the support they are entitled to.

Quick Summary

After a death, you must notify the Social Security Administration promptly, typically via the funeral home or by calling the SSA. This action stops payments to the deceased and allows eligible family members to apply for survivor benefits.

Key Points

• Report the Death Promptly: The funeral home often notifies the SSA, but you must ensure it happens. You can also call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 [1.3.2].

• No Online Reporting: Death notifications and applications for survivor benefits cannot be done online; they must be handled by phone or in person [1.3.3, 1.6.3].

• Return Incorrect Payments: Any checks received for the month of the person's death or later must be returned to the SSA to avoid penalties [1.3.7].

• Understand Eligibility: Survivor benefits are available to spouses, children, and sometimes ex-spouses and dependent parents, based on the deceased's work record [1.4.1].

• Apply for Benefits: Eligible family members must apply for survivor benefits. This process doesn't happen automatically and requires an appointment with the SSA [1.6.3].

• Lump-Sum Death Payment: A one-time payment of $255 is available to an eligible surviving spouse or child and must be applied for within two years of the death [1.6.5].

Immediate Steps: Reporting the Death to the SSA

The first and most crucial step is to report the death to the Social Security Administration (SSA) [1.3.2]. Prompt notification is essential to prevent incorrect payments that would need to be repaid and to begin the process for any potential survivor benefits [1.3.7].

In most cases, the funeral home will report the death for you if you provide the deceased's Social Security number [1.3.1, 1.3.3]. However, it is your responsibility to ensure this is done. If the funeral home does not handle the notification, or if you are not using one, you must contact the SSA directly.

You cannot report a death online or via email [1.3.3]. You must either:

• Call the SSA: Contact the SSA by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) [1.3.2]. Representatives are available on weekdays.
• Visit a local office: You can find your local Social Security office and make the report in person [1.3.6].

When you report the death, be prepared to provide the deceased's name, Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death [1.3.1]. Once the SSA is notified, they will also inform Medicare to stop any premium withdrawals [1.3.3].

A Note on Final Payments

Benefits are not prorated for the month of death. The beneficiary must live through the entire month to be eligible for that month's payment. Any payment received for the month of death or later must be returned to the SSA [1.3.7].

Understanding Social Security Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefits are payments made to eligible family members of a deceased worker who paid enough Social Security taxes [1.4.1]. These benefits are a financial lifeline for many families. The amount of the benefit is a percentage of the deceased's basic Social Security benefit and depends on the survivor's age, relationship to the deceased, and other factors [1.4.3].

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility for survivor benefits is broad and can include several different family members:

• Surviving Spouses: Can receive full benefits at their full retirement age (or reduced benefits as early as age 60, or age 50 if disabled) [1.4.5]. The marriage must have generally lasted at least nine months [1.4.1].
• Surviving Divorced Spouses: May be eligible if the marriage lasted 10 years or more and they meet other requirements [1.4.3].
• Unmarried Children: Are eligible if under age 18 (or up to 19 if a full-time elementary or secondary school student) or at any age if they were disabled before age 22 [1.4.1, 1.4.2].
• Dependent Parents: May be eligible if they are age 62 or older and were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support [1.4.3].

How to Apply for Survivor Benefits and the Lump-Sum Payment

Unlike many other SSA services, you cannot apply for survivor benefits online [1.4.6]. You must call the SSA to schedule an appointment or apply in person [1.6.3].

Required Documents

When applying, you will likely need to provide several original documents or certified copies [1.5.1]. While the exact requirements vary, common documents include:

• Proof of death (from the funeral home or a death certificate)
• The deceased's Social Security number and your own
• Your birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applying as a spouse)
• Divorce decree (if applying as a divorced spouse)
• Dependent children's birth certificates and Social Security numbers
• The deceased's most recent W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax return
• Your bank account information for direct deposit

Do not delay your application if you don't have all the documents. The SSA will help you gather the information you need [1.5.1].

The $255 Lump-Sum Death Payment

A one-time payment of $255 is available to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased at the time of death [1.6.6]. If there is no cohabiting spouse, the payment can go to a spouse living apart or to eligible children [1.6.1, 1.6.4]. An application for this payment must be filed within two years of the death [1.6.5].

Comparison: Monthly Survivor Benefits vs. Lump-Sum Payment

Feature	Monthly Survivor Benefits	Lump-Sum Death Payment
Payment Type	Ongoing, monthly payment	One-time payment [1.6.5]
Amount	A percentage of the deceased's benefit (e.g., 71.5%-100% for a spouse) [1.4.5]	Fixed at $255 [1.6.7]
Primary Eligibility	Spouses, ex-spouses, children, dependent parents [1.4.1]	Surviving spouse or eligible children [1.6.4]
Application	By phone or in-person appointment [1.6.3]	By phone or in-person; must be filed within 2 years of death [1.6.3, 1.6.5]

Conclusion: Taking the Right Steps

Navigating Social Security after a death can feel overwhelming, but the process is structured to help support families during a difficult time. The most important actions are to promptly notify the Social Security Administration and then inquire about applying for survivor benefits. For more information, you can visit the official SSA Survivor Benefits page. By understanding the requirements and gathering the necessary documents, you can ensure that you and other eligible family members receive the financial support intended for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for notifying Social Security of a death?

In most cases, the funeral home will notify the Social Security Administration if you provide the deceased's Social Security number. However, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring the SSA is notified. If you need to do it yourself, you must call or visit an SSA office [1.3.1, 1.3.3].

Can I report a death to Social Security online?

No, you cannot report a death or apply for survivor benefits online. You must contact the SSA by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or in person at a local office [1.3.3, 1.6.3].

What happens if I receive a Social Security check after my loved one has died?

You must return any payment received for the month in which the person died or for any month after their death. Cashing these checks is illegal, and the funds must be repaid to the Social Security Administration [1.3.7].

Who can receive Social Security survivor benefits?

Eligible recipients can include surviving spouses (including some divorced spouses), unmarried children under 18 (or 19 if in school), disabled adult children, and dependent parents of the deceased worker [1.4.1, 1.4.2].

How much are Social Security survivor benefits?

The benefit amount is a percentage of the deceased's Social Security benefit. For example, a surviving spouse at full retirement age typically receives 100% of the worker's benefit. Other relatives, like children, typically receive 75% [1.4.3, 1.4.5].

What is the Social Security lump-sum death payment?

It is a one-time payment of $255 paid to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased, or to an eligible child if there is no qualifying spouse. You must apply for it within two years of the death [1.6.4, 1.6.5].

What documents do I need to apply for survivor benefits?

You will generally need a death certificate, your own Social Security number and birth certificate, the deceased's Social Security number, and potentially a marriage certificate or divorce decree. The SSA can help if you don't have all documents immediately [1.5.1].