Guide · US edition · Updated 2026-10-29

Notifying Social Security and the Credit Bureaus After a Death

Two notifications after a death protect the family from headaches later: telling the Social Security Administration (SSA), and telling the three credit bureaus. One stops payments that would have to be paid back; the other protects the person's identity from thieves who specifically target the recently deceased.

Part 1: Social Security

Who reports the death?

In most cases, the funeral home reports the death to Social Security when you give them the person's Social Security number. Ask the funeral director to confirm they did. You can also call SSA yourself at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit a local office. SSA generally does not take death reports through a simple online form, so plan on a phone call or visit.

When you call, have ready:

The deceased person's full name, Social Security number and date of death
Your relationship to them
If you are a spouse or child who may qualify for benefits: your own Social Security number, and the marriage or birth certificate if asked

Social Security shares the death report with Medicare, so you normally do not need to notify Medicare separately.

What happens to their benefit payments?

Social Security pays benefits a month behind. That has a practical consequence:

No benefit is payable for the month of death. If someone died in July, the payment that arrives in August (which is for July) must be returned, even if they died on July 31.
If payments are directly deposited, SSA will usually ask the bank to return them. Do not withdraw or spend payments made after death; they will be reclaimed.
If a paper check arrives, do not cash it. Return it to SSA.

The one-time $255 death payment

An eligible surviving spouse (usually one who lived with the person or was already receiving benefits on their record), or, if there is no spouse, an eligible child, can receive a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255. It must generally be applied for within two years of the death. It is small, but it is worth claiming.

Survivor benefits

This is the part families often miss. Depending on age and circumstances, the following may qualify for monthly survivor benefits on the deceased worker's record:

A widow or widower, generally from age 60 (age 50 if disabled), or at any age if caring for the deceased's child under 16
Unmarried children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school), or adult children disabled before age 22
In some cases, dependent parents or a divorced spouse

Ask SSA directly: "Is anyone in our family eligible for survivor benefits?" Write down the name of the person you speak with and any reference number.

Other government notifications

Veterans Affairs, if the person was a veteran (burial benefits, survivor pension)
Pension and annuity providers, including federal or state retirement systems
The state DMV (cancel the driver's license and handle vehicle titles)
The IRS does not need a separate "notice of death" call; the final income tax return handles that. Executors often file Form 56 to tell the IRS they act for the estate.

Part 2: The credit bureaus

Why it matters

Criminals sometimes use the identity of people who have recently died. Obituaries provide names, ages and hometowns; until creditors learn of the death, a new account in that name may not raise flags. Telling the credit bureaus closes that window.

What to send

Contact all three nationwide credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Check each bureau's official website for its current deceased-notification process and mailing address. Most ask for:

A copy of the death certificate
Proof that you are the executor, administrator or surviving spouse (for example, Letters Testamentary)
The deceased person's full name, Social Security number, date of birth, date of death and last address
Your name and mailing address

Ask each bureau to:

Place a "deceased – do not issue credit" alert on the file
Send you a copy of the person's credit report, so you can see every open account and spot anything suspicious

Send by mail with tracking and keep copies. Social Security's death report also eventually reaches the bureaus and creditors, but notifying them directly is faster and more reliable.

Other identity-protection steps

Keep sensitive details out of the obituary: no full birth date, home address or mother's maiden name.
Watch their mail for new credit offers, bills or accounts you do not recognize.
Register with the "Deceased Do Not Contact" list run by the Association of National Advertisers to reduce marketing mail.
Shred old statements and documents once the estate is closed and you no longer need them.
If you see fraud, report it at IdentityTheft.gov (Federal Trade Commission).

A quick checklist

☐ Confirm the funeral home reported the death to Social Security
☐ Call SSA (1-800-772-1213) about payments, the $255 payment and survivor benefits
☐ Do not spend any benefit payment made after death
☐ Notify VA and pension providers if relevant
☐ Send death notices to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
☐ Request credit reports and review them
☐ Watch the mail; report fraud at IdentityTheft.gov

Ready-made letters

The After-Loss Admin Kit includes a ready-to-send letter for the credit bureaus, plus letters for banks, card issuers, insurers, pensions and more, and a who-to-notify list of 36 organizations with space to log dates and reference numbers.

Grab the free First 48 Hours Checklist for the most urgent steps.

This article is general information for the United States, not legal, tax or financial advice. Benefit rules can change; confirm details with the Social Security Administration.

Free: the First 48 Hours Checklist

The few things that are truly urgent after a death, on one printable page.

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