Government Agencies to Notify

The funeral home usually notifies SSA — confirm this happened. If you're unsure, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov.

• Payments after death must be returned. If the payment was direct deposit, the bank handles the return once notified. If it was a check, do not cash it — return it to the SSA.
• Survivor benefits: A surviving spouse may be eligible starting at age 60 (or 50 if disabled). Contact SSA to apply.
• Lump-sum death benefit: A one-time payment of $255 is available to a surviving spouse or eligible child. It is not automatic — you must apply for it.

SSA notification usually triggers Medicare notification, but confirm this happened. If the deceased had a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D prescription drug plan, contact the plan provider directly to cancel — these are separate from original Medicare.

Return or destroy the deceased's Medicare card to prevent misuse. Outstanding medical bills may be claims against the estate.

If the deceased was a veteran, contact the VA: 1-800-827-1000 or va.gov.

Surviving spouses and dependents may be eligible for:

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
• Survivor's pension
• Burial benefits — burial allowance, headstone or marker, burial flag
• Education benefits (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance)

VA burial in a national cemetery is available to eligible veterans at no cost. Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office: 1-800-535-1117.

A final tax return must be filed for the deceased for the year of death. If they died before April 15, a return for the prior year may also be due.

• The executor or administrator files the final return. Write "DECEASED" at the top with the date of death.
• If the estate generates income after the death (interest, rent, etc.), a separate estate tax return (Form 1041) may be required.
• The estate may need its own Employer Identification Number (EIN) — request one at irs.gov.
• If you need more time: file an extension (Form 4868 for the final individual return).
• For estates with significant assets or income, a tax preparer or CPA is worth the cost. This is one of the areas where professional help pays for itself.

Most states require a final state income tax return as well. Some states have a state estate tax with lower thresholds than the federal estate tax. Check your state's requirements — they vary significantly.

Notify your state's DMV to cancel the deceased's driver's license. This prevents the ID from being used for identity fraud.

If the deceased owned a vehicle, the title needs to be transferred. Requirements vary by state but generally require: death certificate, current title, and either letters testamentary or a small estate affidavit. If you're selling the vehicle, the title transfer may go directly to the buyer depending on state law.

Contact your county elections office or your state's secretary of state to remove the deceased from voter rolls. Some states automatically remove deceased voters based on SSA records, but this isn't universal and may take months.

This prevents the deceased's name from appearing on voter rolls, which can be emotionally distressing for family members and is also a fraud prevention measure.

You are not legally required to return the deceased's passport. If you choose to: mail it to the US Department of State with a certified death certificate. You can request it be returned to you canceled but intact as a keepsake.

Mailing address: US Department of State, Passport Services, PO Box 90106, Washington, DC 20090.