Reporting a Death to Social Security, Medicare, and Government Agencies: NC Guide

After someone dies in North Carolina, there is a long list of government agencies that need to be notified. Some of these notifications are legally required. Others are practical necessities that prevent problems down the road – overpayment demands, identity theft, or benefits that keep arriving in a dead person’s name. Each agency has its own process, its own phone number, its own set of required documents, and its own timeline. If you are the executor or next of kin, this responsibility falls to you, and it can feel like a full-time job on top of everything else you are managing.

Afterpath provides a personalized government notification checklist based on the deceased’s specific situation – which benefits they received, which agencies apply, and what deadlines you need to meet. Our Pathfinder AI guide answers questions about each agency’s process, our task management system tracks every notification, and our NC Compliance Engine ensures you meet North Carolina-specific requirements. One clear path through the bureaucracy.

---

Social Security Administration (SSA)

Notifying Social Security is one of the most time-sensitive tasks after a death. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, those payments need to stop, and any overpayments need to be returned. Failing to report promptly can result in the SSA demanding repayment months later, which creates an unnecessary headache during estate settlement.

How to Report

By phone: Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). Lines are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time. Wait times can be long. Call early in the morning or later in the afternoon for shorter holds.

In person: Visit your local Social Security office. You can find the nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring the death certificate and your photo ID.

Note: You cannot report a death online through the SSA website. It must be done by phone or in person.

In many cases, the funeral home will report the death to Social Security on your behalf if you provide the deceased’s Social Security number. Ask your funeral director whether they handle this notification. Even if they do, confirm with the SSA that the report was received.

What You Need

• The deceased’s full legal name
• The deceased’s Social Security number
• The date of death
• The deceased’s date of birth
• Your name, relationship to the deceased, and contact information

What Happens to Benefits

Social Security retirement, disability, or SSI benefits are not payable for the month of death. For example, if someone dies on March 15, they are not entitled to the March payment. Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are earned, so a payment arriving in March would actually be for February and should be kept. A payment arriving in April would be for March and must be returned.

If a payment was deposited by direct deposit after death, the SSA will contact the bank to reclaim it. If it was a paper check, do not cash it – return it to Social Security.

If the deceased’s spouse or children were receiving benefits based on the deceased’s record, their benefits may change but do not necessarily stop. The surviving spouse may be eligible for survivor benefits, which in many cases are higher than their own retirement benefit.

Survivor Benefits

A surviving spouse may be eligible for:

• Survivor benefits (age 60 or older, or age 50 if disabled)
• A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 (paid only to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased, or to a child eligible for benefits)
• Benefits for dependent children under 18 (or under 19 if still in high school)

If survivor benefits may apply, ask about them when you call to report the death. The SSA representative can explain eligibility and start the application process.

Afterpath’s task management system flags survivor benefit eligibility based on the information you provide about the deceased’s family situation. If there is a surviving spouse or dependent children, the system adds the survivor benefit application to your task list with the appropriate timeline.

---

Medicare

Medicare notification depends on which parts of Medicare the deceased was enrolled in. Some parts cancel automatically when Social Security is notified. Others require separate action.

What Cancels Automatically

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is typically canceled automatically when Social Security receives the death report. You do not need to contact Medicare separately for these.

What You Must Cancel Separately

Medicare Advantage (Part C): If the deceased was enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (like Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, or a similar private plan), contact the insurance company directly to report the death and cancel the plan. The plan may continue billing premiums until canceled.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plan): If the deceased had a standalone Part D plan, contact the plan provider to cancel. Like Part C, premiums may continue until the plan is notified.

Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plans: If the deceased had a Medigap policy, contact the insurance company to cancel. You may be entitled to a prorated refund of premiums for the unused portion of the billing period.

How to Contact Medicare

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY: 1-877-486-2048. Available 24/7.

Have the deceased’s Medicare number ready (found on their red, white, and blue Medicare card or in a Medicare Advantage plan card).

Medical Bills and Claims

Outstanding medical claims may still be processing through Medicare at the time of death. These will continue to be processed. Any remaining balance after Medicare’s payment becomes a claim against the estate. Do not pay medical bills from personal funds – these are estate debts.

---

Veterans Affairs (VA)

If the deceased was a veteran, notifying the VA unlocks several benefits and prevents ongoing payments that need to stop.

How to Report

By phone: Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000. Available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern Time.

Online: You can submit some notifications through va.gov.

In person: Visit your nearest VA regional office. Find locations at va.gov/find-locations.

VA Benefits to Stop

If the deceased was receiving VA disability compensation, pension, or other recurring payments, these need to stop. Like Social Security, the VA will reclaim overpayments, so prompt notification prevents complications.

Burial Benefits

The VA provides several burial-related benefits for eligible veterans:

Burial Allowance: The VA may pay a burial allowance to help cover funeral and burial costs. The amount varies based on whether the death was service-connected:

• Service-connected death: Up to $2,000 (as of 2024)
• Non-service-connected death: Up to $948 for burial and $948 for a plot (if not buried in a national cemetery)
• If the veteran died in a VA facility: The VA may pay the full cost of transporting the remains

National Cemetery Burial: Eligible veterans can be buried at no cost in a VA national cemetery. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker, and perpetual care. The nearest national cemetery to many NC families is the Salisbury National Cemetery, the Wilmington National Cemetery, or the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

Headstone or Marker: The VA provides a headstone, marker, or medallion at no cost for any eligible veteran, even if buried in a private cemetery.

Burial Flag: An American flag to drape the casket is provided at no cost. After the funeral, it is given to the next of kin. Request the flag from most funeral homes or from any VA regional office.

Presidential Memorial Certificate: A certificate signed by the current President, expressing gratitude for the veteran’s service. Families can request multiple copies at no charge.

How to Apply for Burial Benefits

File VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits). You can file online through va.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office. You will need:

• The veteran’s DD-214 (discharge papers) or other proof of military service
• A certified death certificate
• Proof of burial expenses (funeral home invoice)

Afterpath’s Pathfinder AI guide can walk you through the VA burial benefit application based on the specific veteran’s service history and circumstances. If you are unsure whether the deceased qualifies for burial benefits or which cemetery options are available, Pathfinder provides clear guidance without the long hold times of the VA phone line.

---

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV)

Notifying the DMV prevents several potential problems: unauthorized use of the deceased’s driver’s license, complications with vehicle title transfers, and continued registration renewals.

Canceling the Driver’s License

North Carolina does not have a formal “death notification” process for driver’s licenses the way some states do. However, reporting the death helps prevent identity theft and fraud.

What to do: Contact the NCDMV at 919-715-7000 or visit a local DMV office. Provide the deceased’s full name, date of birth, and driver’s license number (if known) along with a death certificate.

If you have the physical driver’s license, you can surrender it at a DMV office. This is not legally required but is a good security practice.

Vehicle Titles and Registration

If the deceased owned vehicles, the title transfer process depends on how the title was held:

• Sole ownership: The vehicle becomes an estate asset. The executor transfers the title through the estate process.
• Joint ownership with right of survivorship: The surviving owner can transfer the title directly by bringing the death certificate and current title to the DMV.

For a complete guide to transferring vehicle titles after death in NC, see our article on how to transfer a car after death in NC.

License Plates

NC license plates are assigned to the vehicle owner, not the vehicle. Cancel the registration and return the plates to the DMV to avoid continued annual fees. If the vehicle is being transferred to a beneficiary, the new owner will get new plates.

---

Voter Registration

NC State Board of Elections

North Carolina requires that the deceased be removed from voter registration rolls. This typically happens automatically when the death is reported to the NC Department of Health and Human Services, which shares death records with the State Board of Elections. However, the automatic process can take months.

If you want to ensure prompt removal, contact your county board of elections directly. Provide the deceased’s full name, date of birth, and address. You can find your county board at ncsbe.gov.

Removing the deceased from voter rolls prevents potential misuse of their registration.

---

U.S. Passport

U.S. Department of State

If the deceased held a valid U.S. passport, report the death to the Department of State to cancel the passport. This prevents potential identity theft.

By mail: Send a written request to cancel the passport along with a certified death certificate to:

U.S. Department of State Passport Services Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section 44132 Mercure Cir P.O. Box 1227 Sterling, VA 20166-1227

Include the deceased’s full name, date of birth, passport number (if known), and a certified death certificate. The State Department will cancel the passport and return it to you with holes punched through the cover (indicating it is no longer valid) if you request it. Many families keep the canceled passport as a keepsake.

---

NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

If the deceased was receiving any state-administered benefits, notify DHHS to stop payments and close the case.

Programs to Report To

• Medicaid: If the deceased was receiving Medicaid benefits, report the death to the county Department of Social Services (DSS). Be aware that Medicaid estate recovery may apply (see our guide on Medicaid estate recovery in NC).
• Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP/Food Stamps): Report the death to the county DSS to close the case or adjust household benefits if the deceased was part of a multi-person household.
• Work First (TANF): Report to the county DSS.
• NC Division of Aging and Adult Services: If the deceased was receiving in-home aide services, adult day care, or other aging services, notify the county DSS.

Contact information for each county’s Department of Social Services can be found on the NCDHHS website.

---

Professional Licenses and Certifications

If the deceased held any professional licenses issued by a North Carolina licensing board, notify the appropriate board. Common boards include:

• NC Board of Nursing
• NC Bar (attorneys)
• NC Board of CPA Examiners
• NC Real Estate Commission
• NC Board of Pharmacy
• NC Medical Board
• NC General Contractors Licensing Board

Most boards accept notification by phone or written letter with a copy of the death certificate. Canceling the license prevents misuse and stops renewal notices.

---

Other Federal Agencies

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The IRS does not have a “report a death” form. The death is communicated through:

• The final individual tax return (Form 1040), which you file for the deceased for the year of death
• The estate’s tax return (Form 1041), if applicable
• The EIN application for the estate

For details on the EIN application, see our guide on how to get an EIN for an estate. For filing the final tax return, see our guide on filing a final tax return for a deceased person in NC.

U.S. Postal Service

File a change of address or request mail forwarding from the deceased’s address to the executor’s address. This ensures you receive any financial statements, legal notices, or other important mail. You can do this at your local post office or online at usps.com.

Also consider placing a note in the mailbox asking the carrier to hold mail for the estate.

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

If the deceased was a federal employee or retiree receiving a federal pension, contact OPM at 1-888-767-6738 to report the death and stop pension payments. Surviving spouses may be eligible for survivor annuity benefits.

---

Keeping Track of All These Notifications

The sheer number of agencies creates a real organizational challenge. Each one has its own process, its own phone number, its own document requirements, and its own processing time. It is easy to think you have notified everyone, only to receive a benefits payment or renewal notice months later from an agency you missed.

This is exactly the kind of administrative complexity Afterpath was built to manage. When you set up your estate case, Afterpath’s task management system generates a personalized notification checklist based on the deceased’s specific situation. If the deceased was a veteran, VA tasks appear. If they were receiving Medicaid, the Medicaid notification and estate recovery tasks appear. If they had a professional license, that notification is added.

Each task includes the agency’s contact information, the documents you will need, and the deadline (if any). As you complete each notification, you check it off and the system moves you to the next one. Nothing falls through the cracks, and you always know where you stand.

For $199, that level of organization replaces what would otherwise be hours of research and a self-built spreadsheet that you are constantly worried is incomplete.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the funeral home report the death to all these agencies?

No. Most funeral homes will report the death to Social Security and the state vital records office, but that is typically the extent of their notifications. Medicare, the VA, the DMV, voter registration, passport office, and all other agencies are your responsibility as executor or next of kin.

What happens if I do not report the death to Social Security promptly?

Social Security will continue sending payments. When they eventually learn of the death (usually through death records shared by the state), they will demand repayment of all benefits paid after the date of death. This can result in a significant overpayment that the estate must return. Reporting promptly avoids this.

How long do I have to report the death to each agency?

There is no single federal or NC statute that sets a universal deadline for all agency notifications. However:

• Social Security: Report as soon as possible to avoid overpayments
• VA: Report promptly for the same reason
• NC voter registration: No strict deadline, but prompt removal is good practice
• DMV: No strict deadline, but handle before vehicle transfers
• Professional licenses: No strict deadline, but handle within the first few months

Afterpath’s task management system assigns appropriate urgency levels to each notification based on the financial risk of delay.

Can I report the death to multiple agencies on the same day?

Yes, and it is efficient to do so. Block out a morning or afternoon, gather all your documents, and work through the list. Have the death certificate, the deceased’s Social Security number, and your own ID ready. Each call will take 15 to 45 minutes depending on hold times.

Can Afterpath help me notify all these government agencies?

Yes. Afterpath’s task management system creates a complete, prioritized list of every government agency that needs to be notified based on the deceased’s situation. Each task includes the agency’s phone number, what documents to have ready, and what to say. Pathfinder can answer specific questions about any agency’s process – for example, whether the VA burial allowance applies to your specific veteran or how to handle a Medicare Advantage cancellation. Instead of researching each agency individually, you get one organized checklist that walks you through it all.

---

Moving Forward

Notifying government agencies is tedious, repetitive work. It is not emotionally difficult in the way that planning a funeral is, but it is draining in its own way – sitting on hold, repeating the same information to different representatives, navigating automated phone systems while you are already exhausted.

The good news is that most of these notifications are one-time tasks. Once you make the call and confirm the report was received, that agency is done. Work through the list methodically, and within a few weeks the bulk of it will be behind you.

Dealing with estate settlement while grieving is one of life’s hardest challenges. You do not have to figure it out alone.

Afterpath was built for exactly this moment – to turn the overwhelming chaos of estate settlement into a clear path forward. Our AI guide Pathfinder is available 24/7 to answer your questions, our task system ensures nothing falls through the cracks, and our NC compliance engine makes sure you do everything right.

Start your free estate assessment →