How to Notify Social Security After a Death: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Samantha Harrykissoon, After Loss Professional & Grief Survivor

Published 2026-09-29 by Navigate After Loss

Navigate After Loss guide: ‘Social Security after a death. What to do next.’ A sage folder, notebook, and pen on a cream background.

When someone dies, Social Security is one of the government agencies that needs to know.

Fortunately, you usually don't have to be the person who makes the initial report. In most cases, the funeral home reports the death to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

But don't let that make you think your work is finished.

You should still confirm that Social Security has been notified and find out whether you or another family member may be entitled to survivor benefits.

Here is what to do.

Step 1: Give the Funeral Home the Deceased's Social Security Number

When you are making funeral arrangements, provide the funeral home with the deceased person's Social Security number.

Funeral homes generally report deaths directly to Social Security. The funeral director may submit the information electronically or, when necessary, use Form SSA-721, Statement of Death by Funeral Director.

Tip: Ask the funeral home:

"Will you be reporting the death to Social Security?"

Don't assume. Ask.

And write down the date the funeral home says the report was submitted.

Step 2: Confirm That Social Security Has Been Notified

If the funeral home reported the death, you generally do not need to make a second death report.

However, if you are unsure whether the report was submitted—or if a funeral home was not involved—you should contact Social Security directly.

Call:

Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213

TTY: 1-800-325-0778

Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in most U.S. time zones. See SSA’s current contact information and death-reporting instructions.

If you are reporting a death yourself, have the following information available:

Social Security specifically advises that if a funeral home is not involved or did not report the death, you should contact SSA directly.

Step 3: Don't Confuse "Reporting the Death" With "Applying for Benefits"

This is one of the most important distinctions.

Reporting the death does not automatically mean that every eligible survivor has applied for survivor benefits.

Social Security may automatically convert benefits for certain people who were already receiving benefits on the deceased person's record.

If you are not already receiving benefits on the deceased person’s record, contact SSA to ask whether you need to apply. Survivor benefit applications are not available online; call SSA to apply by phone or arrange an office appointment, as explained in SSA’s survivor benefits guidance.

Potentially eligible survivors can include:

Eligibility depends on the circumstances and the deceased person's work history.

Step 4: Ask About the $255 Lump-Sum Death Payment

There is also a one-time $255 lump-sum death payment for certain qualifying survivors.

It is not available to everyone.

A qualifying surviving spouse may receive it if certain requirements are met. In some circumstances, a child may qualify if there is no eligible spouse.

Importantly, eligible survivors must generally apply within two years of the date of death for this one-time payment, according to SSA’s Survivors Benefits booklet. Do not treat that as a deadline for every monthly survivor benefit claim; contact SSA promptly about your situation.

Don't assume that because the amount is small it isn't worth pursuing.

It is money you may be entitled to—and grief is already expensive enough.

Step 5: Ask About Monthly Survivor Benefits

If the deceased person worked and paid Social Security taxes, certain family members may qualify for monthly survivor benefits.

This can be particularly important when the person who died was a primary or significant source of household income.

Ask Social Security to determine:

Do not assume you are ineligible simply because you are working or receiving Social Security on your own record.

Let Social Security evaluate your circumstances.

Step 6: Gather Your Documents

You don't necessarily need every document in your hand before contacting Social Security.

In fact, SSA specifically says not to delay applying because you don't have everything. They can help you determine what is still needed.

Still, having your paperwork organized will make the process easier.

Create a Social Security folder

Gather:

For the deceased:

For the surviving spouse:

For children who may qualify:

SSA’s survivor benefits document checklist explains the core records it may need. This folder also includes useful background information; you will not necessarily need every item for your claim.

Step 7: Keep Your Originals

This is important.

Social Security may require original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. It accepts photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns, and medical documents, but most other records need originals or issuing-agency certification; check SSA’s document requirements for your claim.

Do not casually mail irreplaceable original documents without understanding how SSA wants them submitted.

Social Security says it will return documents submitted for benefit claims after making copies, but you should still keep track of anything you provide.

Step 8: Ask What Happens to the Deceased's Benefits

If the deceased was already receiving Social Security, ask SSA what happens to the final payment.

Social Security retirement benefits are generally paid for the prior month, and no benefit is payable for the month the recipient dies. For example, if someone dies in July, the payment received in August for July must be returned, as explained in SSA’s payment guidance. Ask which month a payment covers rather than deciding from the deposit date alone.

If a payment is deposited after death, do not assume it belongs to the estate or surviving spouse.

Ask Social Security how the payment should be handled before spending or transferring the money.

Also notify the bank if Social Security benefits were being deposited directly into the deceased person's account. SSA specifically advises survivors to notify the bank when direct deposits are involved.

Step 9: Ask About Survivor Benefits Even If You Receive Your Own Social Security

This is a question worth asking.

A surviving spouse who already receives Social Security based on their own work record may still have questions about benefits based on the deceased spouse's record.

The correct benefit strategy can depend on age, work history, eligibility and other circumstances.

Don't try to determine your eligibility from a single number or an online calculator.

Ask Social Security to review your situation.

Step 10: Keep a Call Log

This is one of my strongest recommendations.

Create a simple Social Security Contact Log. Record the date and time, representative’s name, reference number, documents requested or submitted, next step, and any deadline. Keep the log and supporting records somewhere secure.

Grief makes it incredibly difficult to remember conversations.

And when you are dealing with government agencies, banks, insurance companies and other institutions at the same time, having a paper trail can save you from having to explain the same situation repeatedly.

One Last Tip: Don't Wait for the Paperwork to Be Perfect

After a death, it is tempting to think:

"I'll call Social Security once I have the death certificates, marriage certificate, tax records and everything else organized."

Don't.

Social Security specifically says not to delay applying for survivor benefits simply because you don't have every document. Contact SSA and let them tell you what is needed.

There will be plenty of paperwork after someone dies.

Your job is not to do it perfectly.

Your job is to take the next step.

And then the next one.

At-a-glance checklist

Use this visual checklist alongside the detailed steps and official SSA guidance above.

Ten-step checklist for notifying Social Security after a death, from confirming the report to asking about survivor benefits and keeping a call log.

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