How to Notify Social Security of a Spouse's Death

Compassionate, step-by-step plain-English guide to reporting a spouse's passing to Social Security, with the calls to make, papers to gather.

8 min read · 6 steps · Checked May 2026

1. Step 1. Confirm Whether the Funeral Home Has Already Reported the Death

   Within a day or two of the funeral arrangements, call the funeral director and ask one direct question: "Did your office report my spouse's death to Social Security on my behalf?" Most funeral homes do this as a free service. But it is not automatic at every location. Write down the answer along with the date the report was made and the name of the person you spoke with. If the funeral home did report the death, you still need to call Social Security yourself to begin survivor benefits. If the funeral home did not report it, you will need to make the report. Either way, the next step is the same: call Social Security directly.

   Quick Tip

   Keep a small notebook by the phone during the first month after a death. Write down every call, every name, and every reference number. This becomes very helpful when you are tired and someone asks what was already done.

2. Step 2. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213

   Pick up the phone and dial 1-800-772-1213, the national Social Security number. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. There is also a TTY line at 1-800-325-0778 for callers who are hard of hearing. When the automated voice answers, say "survivor benefits" or press 1 when prompted for English, then follow the menu to reach a live representative. Wait times are often 15 to 45 minutes. The calmest times to call are Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday afternoons. Once you reach a person, say in your own words: "I am calling to report the death of my spouse and to ask about survivor benefits." The representative will take it from there.

   Warning

   You cannot report a death online through the Social Security website. The agency requires a phone call or an in-person visit for death notifications. Anyone telling you otherwise online is likely running a scam.

3. Step 3. Provide the Information the Representative Asks For

   The Social Security representative will ask for your late spouse's full legal name, Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death. They will ask for the funeral home name and location. And they may ask whether you have a certified copy of the death certificate yet. They will also ask for your own Social Security number, your date of birth, your relationship to the deceased, and whether you receive your own Social Security benefits or are eligible for them. Answer honestly and slowly. If you do not know an answer, say so. The representative can often look things up in their system. Ask the representative to give you a confirmation number for the call before you hang up, and write it in your notebook.

   Quick Tip

   If your spouse was receiving direct deposit, ask the representative whether any payments received after the date of death need to be returned. The general rule is that the benefit for the month of death is not paid. If it arrived, the bank will be asked to send it back.

4. Step 4. Ask About the One-Time $255 Death Payment

   While you have the representative on the phone, ask about the lump-sum death payment. Social Security pays a one-time $255 benefit to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased at the time of death, or to a surviving spouse or child who is already eligible for benefits on the deceased's record. The amount has not changed since 1954, so $255 does not go far in 2026. But it is your money and you should claim it. The representative can usually start this application during the same call. They will ask for your bank routing and account number for direct deposit. Have a check or deposit slip nearby with these numbers printed on it.

   Quick Tip

   If you were separated from your spouse but not divorced, you may still qualify for the $255 payment. Ask the representative to walk you through the specifics for your situation.

5. Step 5. Schedule a Follow-Up Appointment for Survivor Benefits

   Survivor benefits are a separate ongoing monthly payment that surviving spouses may qualify for, starting as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled, any age if caring for the deceased's child under 16). The phone representative will most likely schedule a follow-up appointment for you, either by phone or at your local Social Security office. This appointment can take 45 to 90 minutes and goes through your full eligibility. Write the appointment date, time, and any reference number on your calendar and in your notebook. If you cannot find your nearest office, the website ssa.gov has an office locator under "Locate an Office."

   Warning

   Survivor benefits and your own retirement benefit are not always combined. You may need to choose one or strategize between them. Bring a list of your questions to the appointment so nothing important gets forgotten.

6. Step 6. Order Extra Certified Death Certificates

   Before you end the call, the representative may ask you to mail or bring a certified copy of the death certificate to your local Social Security office. The funeral home usually provides the first copies. And you can order more from the county or state vital records office for $15 to $30 per copy. Order at least ten copies up front. You will need them for banks, life insurance, pensions, the Veterans Administration if your spouse served, brokerage accounts, the title office for any vehicles, and the property records office for any real estate. Many companies will accept a scanned copy in 2026, but some still require an original with a raised seal. Having ten on hand saves repeated trips and waiting periods.

   Quick Tip

   Keep certified death certificates in a locked file box or fireproof safe at home. Treat them like cash — they are sensitive documents that can be used in identity theft if they fall into the wrong hands.