Death of a Family Member: What to Handle, and When

Steps, in order

1. 1

   Report the death to Social Security

   The funeral home often reports a death to Social Security for you. If it does not, or you are not sure, call Social Security directly. Any benefit payment received for the month of death or later usually has to be returned.

   Agency: Social Security Administration

   See SSI notices
2. 2

   Ask Social Security about the one-time death payment

   Social Security offers a one-time payment to some surviving spouses or children. Ask SSA for the current amount and the deadline to apply. This page did not confirm those exact numbers.

   Agency: Social Security AdministrationSSA-8

   DeadlineThe date of deathSSA's own materials describe a filing window measured in years, not months. Confirm the exact window directly with SSA.

   See SSI notices
3. 3

   Find out when the creditor claim window opens in your state

   Once a court names a personal representative or executor, most states start a clock for creditors to file claims against the estate. That clock's length and starting point vary by state.

   Agency: State probate court

   Hard deadline, no exceptionsThe date letters are first issued to a personal representative or fiduciaryCalifornia requires the later of 4 months from letters issued or 60 days from direct notice to a known creditor. New York uses a different 7-month window from letters issued. This window is set by state law and varies; confirm your own state's rule.

   “A creditor shall file a claim before expiration of the later of the following times: (1) Four months after the date letters are first issued to a general personal representative. (2) Sixty days after the date notice of administration is mailed or personally delivered to the creditor.”

   “If any claim is not presented within 7 months from the date of issue of letters, the fiduciary shall not be chargeable for any assets or moneys that he may have paid in good faith in satisfaction of any lawful claims”
4. 4

   Get an EIN for the estate before opening an estate bank account

   An estate usually needs its own EIN. This is separate from the deceased person's Social Security number. Get the EIN before you open an estate bank account or file an estate tax return.

   Agency: IRSSS-4

   See the how-to guide
5. 5

   Ask the VA about burial benefits if the person was a veteran

   The VA describes help with burial and plot costs for an eligible veteran. There is a filing deadline for the burial allowance claim itself, though headstone and marker requests can work differently. Confirm both deadlines directly with the VA.

   Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs21P-530EZ

   DeadlineThe date of the veteran's burialVA materials describe this deadline in years, not months, for the burial allowance claim. This page did not independently confirm the exact figure.

   See VA notices