How to report a death to Social Security and Medicare

The SSA handles death reports for both Social Security and Medicare recipients. To report a death, you can do one of the following:

• Provide the deceased person's Social Security number to the funeral director so they can report the death to the SSA.
• Look up and contact your local Social Security office. Or call the SSA's main number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to make the report.
  • SSA only accepts reports of death by phone or in person. They do not accept reports by email or online. 
  • If you report the death to SSA yourself instead of through a funeral director, you may do so without the deceased person’s death certificate to begin the process. But you will need it later to complete the report.

How to return a Social Security payment after someone dies

The SSA cannot pay benefits for the month of a recipient’s death. That means if the person died in July, the check or direct deposit received in August (which is payment for July) must be returned.

• Find out how to return a check to the SSA.
• If the payment is by direct deposit, notify the financial institution as soon as possible. Ask them to return the payment for the month the recipient died and any that arrived later.

Find out what other government agencies and programs to notify after someone dies.

Social Security survivor benefits

Spouses and minor children may be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits. Visit the SSA's survivor benefits page to learn:

• If you are eligible
• How much in monthly benefits you may receive
• How to apply