Questions and Answers on Social Security

Question: I applied for my baby’s Social Security number in the hospital but have not received it. How long does it take?

In many states, where the birth registration process is electronic, the average wait is four weeks.  But in other states, the wait can be twice or three times as long.  Here’s why. When a parent requests a Social Security number for a newborn as part of the birth registration process in the hospital, the state vital statistics office forwards to Social Security the information needed to assign a number to the child and issue a card.  From the time Social Security receives the data, the process of assigning the number and issuing the card takes about two weeks. Learn more about Social Security cards and numbers at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

Question: When a Social Security beneficiary dies, does the funeral home notify Social Security or is the death notification up to the family

Many funeral directors voluntarily provide death information directly to Social Security. But, family members of a deceased individual still should notify Social Security. For information on what action to take when a beneficiary dies, see our online publication, What To Do When A Beneficiary Dies, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/deathbenefits.htm.