Report the death to Social Security as soon as possible after it happens
You do not have to wait for a death certificate to call Social Security. In fact, calling within a few days of death is the fastest way to stop payments, prevent overpayments, and start any survivor benefits that may be owed. Social Security will ask you to mail or bring the death certificate later, but the phone call itself stops the account when ready.
Call Social Security's main line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Tell them you are reporting a death. They will transfer you to the right department. You can also visit a local Social Security office in person, though calling is usually faster because you do not have to wait for an appointment.
Have the deceased person's Social Security number ready when you call. If you do not have it, have their full name and date of birth. The person calling does not have to be a family member — Social Security will take a report from anyone who knew the person.
Key Takeaways
- Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 within days of death to stop payments when ready; you do not need the death certificate to make the call.
- Social Security will mail you a form to sign and return, along with instructions on where to send the death certificate.
- If the deceased was receiving benefits, any payment received after the month of death must be returned, even if it was deposited automatically.
- Surviving spouses, children, and parents may be owed survivor benefits, which Social Security will explain during the same call.
- If you are unsure whether the person had a Social Security account, call anyway — Social Security can search by name and date of birth.
What happens after you call
Social Security will ask you a few questions: the deceased person's full name, date of birth, date of death, and Social Security number. They will also ask whether the person was receiving benefits and who is calling (your relationship to the deceased). Write down the name of the person you speak with and any reference number they give you.
Within a few days, Social Security will mail you a form called Statement Regarding the Fact of Death of Beneficiary (Form SSA-721). You sign it under penalty of perjury, stating that the person is dead. You will also receive instructions on where to mail the death certificate — usually to the local Social Security office, though sometimes to a processing center.
Do not delay sending the death certificate. Social Security needs it to close the account and process any survivor claims. If the death certificate is not yet available, call Social Security again and ask what to do — some offices will accept a temporary certificate or a letter from the funeral home while you wait for the official one.
Returning overpayments and stopping automatic deposits
If Social Security deposited a payment into the deceased person's bank account after the month of death, that money must be returned. For example, if someone died on March 15, the March payment belongs to the estate, but the April payment must go back.
Social Security will tell you how to return the money when you report the death. Usually you can mail a check to the local office, or Social Security may contact the bank directly to recover it. If you do not return it, Social Security may deduct it from any survivor benefits owed to family members.
If you have power of attorney or are the executor of the estate, you have the legal right to manage this. If you are not, ask Social Security who should handle the return — they will guide you based on your relationship to the deceased.
Survivor benefits for family members
When you report a death, Social Security will tell you whether any family members may be owed survivor benefits. These can include payments to a surviving spouse (at any age if caring for a child under 16, or at age 60 or older), children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school), and parents age 62 or older who depended on the deceased for income.
You do not have to do anything extra to start this process — Social Security will begin reviewing the case as soon as you report the death. However, family members will need to provide their own Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption papers). Social Security will ask for these documents in writing.
Survivor benefits are not automatic. Social Security must verify that the family member meets the age, relationship, and dependency requirements. This can take several weeks to several months, depending on how quickly documents are returned.
What documents you will need to send
The main document is the certified death certificate — the official copy issued by the vital records office in the county or state where the person died, not a photocopy or a funeral home's copy. You will need at least one certified copy, though Social Security may ask for more if there are multiple survivor claims.
If family members are claiming survivor benefits, you will also need to send proof of relationship: marriage certificates, birth certificates, or adoption papers. These should be certified copies from the vital records office, not photocopies.
Social Security will tell you exactly which documents to send and where to send them when you receive the death form in the mail. Keep copies of everything you send.
If you cannot reach Social Security by phone
If the phone line is busy or you prefer not to call, you can report a death in person at any local Social Security office. Find the nearest office at ssa.gov/locator or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask for the address. Bring the deceased person's Social Security card if you have it, or their name and date of birth.
You can also mail a letter to the local office with the deceased person's name, Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death. Include your name and phone number so they can contact you if they have questions. However, calling or visiting in person is faster because you will get confirmation that the report was received.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not wait for the death certificate before calling. Social Security can stop payments when ready based on your report, and they will ask for the certificate later. Waiting delays the process and increases the risk of overpayment.
Do not assume someone else has reported the death. If the deceased person lived alone or had limited family contact, no one may have called yet. If you are unsure, call Social Security — they can tell you whether the account has already been reported as closed.
Do not ignore requests for documents. Social Security will mail forms and ask for the death certificate and proof of relationship. If you do not respond within a reasonable time, the case may be delayed or closed. If you need more time, call and explain — Social Security can usually extend the important date.
Do not assume all survivor benefits will be paid automatically. Some family members may not know they are may have access to to benefits. If you are aware of a surviving spouse, child, or parent, mention them when you report the death so Social Security can reach out to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I report a death online?
Social Security does not have an online form to report a death. You must call 1-800-772-1213, visit a local office in person, or mail a letter. Calling is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes.
What if the person was not receiving Social Security benefits?
You should still report the death. Social Security needs to close the account to prevent fraud and to check whether any family members are owed survivor benefits based on the deceased person's work record. Call the same number and tell them the person was not a beneficiary.
Who can report the death?
Anyone can report a death to Social Security — a family member, friend, caregiver, or funeral home. You do not have to be a relative or have legal authority. Social Security will take the report from whoever calls.
How long does it take to process a death report?
Social Security stops payments when ready when you call. Processing the death certificate and closing the account usually takes two to four weeks. Survivor benefit claims can take several weeks to several months, depending on how quickly documents are returned and how complex the case is.
What if I receive a payment after reporting the death?
Call Social Security right away. Sometimes a payment is already in the mail when the death is reported. Tell them the date you received it and ask whether it should be returned. Social Security will give you instructions on how to send the money back.