In the United States, funeral homes generally notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) when someone dies. Ask the funeral home whether it submitted the report; if there was no funeral home or you are unsure the death was reported, contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Have the deceased person’s name, Social Security number, date of birth and date of death ready. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have different rules for payments covering the month of death, so check the benefit type before using or returning money.
First, check whether the funeral home reported the death
SSA says, “Funeral homes generally tell us when someone dies. So, you don’t typically need to report a death to us.” Ask the funeral home if you want to confirm it sent the report. If there was no funeral home, or you have reason to believe SSA was not notified, call the agency promptly at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
SSA lists the deceased person’s name, Social Security number, date of birth and date of death as information to provide. Its public death-report instructions do not list a death certificate as a general prerequisite for notifying the agency. If you are also applying for survivor benefits, SSA may ask for proof of death and documents establishing identity or family relationships; those are separate claim requirements.
SSA handles calls in most U.S. time zones Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Callers outside the United States should use the agency’s international contact guidance to find a Federal Benefits Unit or international call center.
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Know which benefit the payment covers
A payment’s arrival date does not by itself show whether the money is owed. Social Security benefits are generally paid one month after the month for which they are due, while SSI is paid for the month it covers. SSA says no Social Security benefit is payable for the month of death, even if the person died on the last day of that month. SSI follows a different rule: the payment for the month of death is due, but payments for later months must be returned.
| Benefit | Month of death | Payment for a later month |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security retirement, disability or survivor benefit paid to the deceased beneficiary | Not payable, including when death occurs on the final day of the month. | Not payable to the deceased beneficiary after death. |
| SSI | The payment for the month of death is due. | Must be returned. |
For example, SSA explains that if a Social Security beneficiary dies in June, the July payment represents June and is not due. An SSI beneficiary who dies in June is entitled to the June SSI payment, but a July SSI payment must be returned. These examples show why it is important to identify the program and the benefit month before acting.
What to do with a check or direct deposit
If a check arrives after the death
SSA’s Form SSA-721 instructs: “If the deceased received Social Security benefits, return any checks, which arrive after death to the Social Security office.” Do not cash a check when entitlement is unclear. Follow the directions on the check or contact SSA for guidance on returning it.
If a payment was deposited electronically
Notify the bank or other financial institution if a benefit was directly deposited after the death. Do not assume that money already in the account belongs to a survivor or may be spent. Keep any notices and coordinate with both SSA and the financial institution; improper payments may be recovered, and the rules depend on the program and payment month.
Ask separately about survivor benefits
Stopping or correcting the deceased person’s payment does not decide whether a family member qualifies for benefits on that person’s record. Depending on the circumstances, a surviving spouse, divorced spouse, child or dependent parent may be eligible for monthly survivor benefits. SSA says that in many cases it can change a spouse’s existing payment on a deceased spouse’s record to survivor benefits after the death is reported; children’s benefits may also change automatically in some cases. Ask SSA what applies to the specific record rather than assuming a new application is always required—or that a change will happen automatically.
A qualifying spouse or child may also be eligible for a one-time $255 lump-sum death payment. It is not payable to every relative or in every case.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Claim money that was still owed to the deceased
If SSA may have owed the deceased an unpaid benefit or a Medicare premium refund, a family member or legal representative can use Form SSA-1724 to claim amounts due. SSA applies priority rules that can include a qualifying surviving spouse, children, parents, other family members and, in some cases, the estate’s legal representative. This is a claim for money owed to the deceased, not permission to keep a payment that was not due.
Quick Recap
Keep the three tasks distinct
- Report the death: Confirm the funeral home notified SSA, or call the agency if it did not or you are unsure.
- Resolve a payment: Check the benefit program and month covered; return a check received after death or notify the financial institution about a direct deposit.
- Check family entitlements: Contact SSA about potential survivor benefits, the lump-sum death payment or amounts owed to the deceased.
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