When someone passes away in El Paso, the Social Security Administration must be notified so that benefit payments are stopped and survivor benefits can begin. In most cases, the funeral home reports the death automatically as long as they have the deceased person's Social Security number. If the funeral home does not, or if there is a delay, a family member needs to call SSA directly — there is no online option to report a death. This guide explains who is responsible, how to do it step by step, what happens with the deceased person's final monthly payment, and how to immediately apply for survivor benefits and the $255 lump-sum death payment.
Quick answer
To report a death to Social Security from El Paso, the easiest method is to give the deceased's Social Security number to the funeral home — they report the death automatically through the Electronic Death Registration system. If the funeral home does not, or you want to confirm it was reported, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–7:00 PM ET. You cannot report a death online. There is no fee. Reporting promptly stops benefit payments (which must be returned if received after death) and starts the process for survivor benefits and the $255 lump-sum death payment.
Who reports the death
In most cases the funeral home reports the death electronically as part of their normal services. When you arrange the funeral, give them the deceased person's Social Security number and confirm they will report it to SSA. Most funeral homes in El Paso do this routinely.
If you handle arrangements yourself, if the death occurred outside of a funeral home setting, or if you simply want to make sure the report was made, you can call SSA directly. A family member, executor, or anyone with authority over the deceased person's affairs can make the report.
What happens to benefit payments after death
Social Security benefits are not payable for the month of death, even if the person died on the last day of the month. So if your loved one passed away in March, the March payment (which would normally be deposited in April) is NOT due and must be returned.
If the deceased was receiving direct deposit, contact the bank and ask them to return the payment to SSA. If the deceased received a paper check, do not cash it — return it to SSA. SSA will eventually request returned amounts if they were sent after death.
Any payment received that was for a month before the death is yours to keep (or part of the estate).
Information you will need
- Deceased person's full legal name.
- Deceased person's Social Security number.
- Date of death.
- Place of death (city and state).
- Your relationship to the deceased (spouse, child, parent, executor, etc.).
- Your name, address, and phone number.
- The deceased's bank account information if you need to discuss returning a payment.
Step-by-step process
Step 1 — Give the SSN to the funeral home
When arranging the funeral, provide the deceased person's Social Security number and ask them to report the death to SSA. This is the simplest path — the funeral home handles it electronically and you do not need to call SSA yourself.
Step 2 — If the funeral home cannot or does not report, call SSA
Call 1-800-772-1213 Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–7:00 PM ET. The wait can be 30–60 minutes during peak hours. Have all the info from the checklist above ready before you call.
Step 3 — Return any payment received for the month of death or later
If a payment hits the deceased's account for the month they died or after, contact the bank to return it. If a paper check arrives, write 'DECEASED' on it and mail it back to SSA. Keeping these payments is technically illegal and SSA will eventually request them back.
Step 4 — Apply for the $255 lump-sum death payment
If the deceased was eligible for Social Security, the surviving spouse (or eligible children if no spouse) receives a one-time $255 payment. This is requested as part of the survivor benefit application. You must apply within 2 years of the death.
Step 5 — Apply for survivor benefits if eligible
Surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents may qualify for ongoing monthly survivor benefits. The application is separate from reporting the death. Learn how to apply for survivor benefits.
Step 6 — If the deceased was receiving Medicare, notify them separately
When you call SSA about the death, also confirm that Medicare coverage is terminated. Medicare drops the deceased automatically once SSA is notified, but check that Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans are also notified to stop premiums.
Frequently asked questions
Can I report a death online?
No. There is currently no way to report a death to Social Security online. You must either go through the funeral home (which uses the Electronic Death Registration system on their end) or call SSA directly by phone. SSA does NOT accept death reports by email, mail, or through the my Social Security online account.
How long do I have to report a death?
There is no specific deadline to report a death, but you should do it as soon as possible — ideally within 1–2 weeks. The longer you wait, the more incorrectly-sent payments will need to be returned, and the longer it takes to start survivor benefits.
What if I'm not a family member?
Anyone with authority over the deceased person's affairs can report the death — including executors, attorneys, friends, or healthcare providers. SSA does not restrict who can make the report.
Will Medicare and Medicaid be notified automatically?
Yes. When SSA is notified of a death, Medicare is automatically terminated. However, Medicaid is administered by Texas Health and Human Services, not SSA — you must notify Texas Medicaid separately if the deceased had Medicaid coverage.