Government services & benefits (US)

If you want a step-by-step checklist (first 24 hours → first week → first month), use:What to do after a death (US).

1) Reporting a death

SSA notes that funeral homes often report the death (with the deceased person’s Social Security number). If it wasn’t reported, SSA directs families to report by phone or in person.

• SSA: When someone dies (official guide)
• USA.gov reporting overview (official overview)
• SSA contact (office finder, phone) (official contact)

2) Survivor benefits (what exists)

SSA survivor benefits can include monthly payments for eligible family members, and (in some cases) a one-time death payment. Start here:ssa.gov/survivor.

3) The 3 questions that unlock everything

1. Who is in the family? (spouse, ex-spouse, minor children, disabled adult child, dependent parent)
2. What was the deceased receiving or eligible for? (retirement, disability, none yet)
3. Who may switch benefits later? (e.g., surviving spouse may take one type now and switch later)

Surviving spouse

• Survivors may qualify based on age, disability, or caring for a child who qualifies on the deceased person’s record.
• Some spouses can receive benefits while caring for a qualifying child (even if the spouse is younger).
• Strategy matters: many surviving spouses can later switch between survivor and retirement benefits (see next section).

Divorced spouse

• Divorced spouses are one of the most commonly overlooked groups. If there was a prior marriage, check eligibility.
• Practical tip: If you’re unsure, ask SSA directly: “Could a divorced spouse qualify on this record?”

Children

• Minor children may qualify; older children can qualify in certain schooling situations.
• Disabled adult children may qualify if disability began before a specified age (SSA sets this rule).
• Practical tip: If there are children, ask: “Which children qualify, how are payments handled, and do we need a representative payee?”

Dependent parents

• In some cases, dependent parents can qualify. This is rare but high-impact when it applies.

What to prepare (the practical set)

• Deceased person’s Social Security number (SSN)
• Applicant SSN(s) (spouse / children) and photo ID for the applicant
• Marriage certificate (or proof of marriage), divorce decree(s) if relevant
• Birth certificates for children (and adoption/guardianship documents if relevant)
• Direct deposit information (routing + account number)
• Basic work and benefit info (was the person receiving SSA retirement/disability?)

How to start with SSA

• Read the SSA “when someone dies” page to understand reporting and next steps: ssa.gov/personal-record/when-someone-dies
• Use SSA contact tools for phone/office guidance: ssa.gov/agency/contact

Switching strategy (common in the US)

Many surviving spouses can potentially take one type of benefit first (survivor vs retirement) and later switch. Don’t guess—ask SSA: “Can I switch later, and what are the tradeoffs?”

Family maximum / multiple survivors

When several family members qualify (spouse + children, for example), SSA rules can cap total benefits payable on a record. Practical question to ask: “How will payments be allocated across survivors, and do we need separate applications?”

Representative payee (when children receive benefits)

If a child receives SSA benefits, SSA may require a representative payee to manage funds. Ask what reporting and banking setup is required.

Medicare.gov directs families to report deaths through SSA and notes the funeral home may report the death. medicare.gov/basics/report-a-death

1) Burial & memorial benefits

VA burial and memorial options (including national cemetery information and memorial items) start here: va.gov/burials-memorials

2) Survivor income programs

VA’s survivor compensation hub covers pathways such as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivors Pension (eligibility depends on service and family circumstances): va.gov/.../survivor-compensation

High-impact documents to locate

• Proof of military service/discharge papers (commonly DD214, if available)
• Marriage and dependency documents (spouse/children)
• Death certificate (often required for claims)
• Banking information for payments

Best official starting points

• Burial & memorial benefits: va.gov/burials-memorials
• Survivor compensation hub: va.gov/.../survivor-compensation

IRS Publication 559 is the official federal resource for survivors, executors, and administrators. It explains how to file the decedent’s final return and when estate/trust filings are required: irs.gov/publications/p559

What this usually includes (federal)

• Final individual federal income tax return (Form 1040)
• Claiming a refund (if due) and who can sign/receive it
• Estate/trust income tax returns (Form 1041) in applicable situations
• Recordkeeping expectations for executors/administrators

USPS provides guidance on managing mail for a deceased person, including forwarding/stopping mail, and notes that proof of authorization is typically required. usps.com/manage/mail-for-deceased.htm

Why this belongs on a Government Services page

• Government agencies, insurers, and banks still communicate by mail
• Mail is how you discover unknown accounts or subscriptions
• Forwarded mail helps prevent missed deadlines and collections

OPM provides an official entry point for survivor benefits in the federal retirement system: opm.gov/retirement-center/survivor-benefits

Common benefit types (varies by coverage)

• Survivor annuity (monthly)
• Lump-sum credit (where applicable)
• Agency-specific processes if the person was an active employee

The Railroad Retirement Board provides survivor benefit guidance here: rrb.gov/Benefits/Survivor

Who should check RRB?

• Anyone with railroad employment history
• Families where benefits seem “missing” after contacting SSA

To keep US guidance accurate and avoid “50 versions,” we put state/county-run services in one internal directory. Use it whenever you need the correct official portal for your location:

• Doing “death reporting” but not filing benefit applications (SSA and VA are not automatic for many people).
• Missing children’s SSA benefits (especially when a surviving parent is overwhelmed).
• Overlooking divorced spouse eligibility in SSA (one of the most frequent misses).
• Assuming VA doesn’t apply because service was long ago.
• Forgetting specialty systems (OPM / RRB) tied to employment history.
• Not managing mail, leading to missed deadlines, refunds, or critical notices.

1. What to do after a death (US)
2. Legal & probate (US)
3. Bereavement support (US)
4. US state & local services directory