Is there a more direct process for removing deceased people from Social Security than from voter files?

While all states eventually remove the names of deceased voters from registration lists, voters are not typically removed from the rolls immediately upon death. In most states, the secretary of state or local jurisdictions receive the names of deceased voters after they are compiled by a state agency such as an office of vital statistics—sometimes on a monthly basis. A few states allow voters to be removed based on published obituaries, death certificates or notification by close family.

In the case of Social Security, a family member, funeral home or government agency is urged to report the death as soon as possible directly to the Social Security Administration. Keeping or using a deceased person’s Social Security benefits after they die is considered a federal crime, even if the death goes unreported. Any benefit for the month of death should be returned, the agency says.