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Someone died: what to do first with benefits, bills, home and things

Use when someone's family member or partner died and they need to know what to do first: telling Social Security and other agencies, bank accounts, debts, the home or apartment, a car, belongings and children.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Start with care
  2. Get death certificates
  3. Tell agencies about the death
  4. Money, debts and bills
  5. The home, car and belongings
  6. Children who lost a parent

1Start with care

You can say"I am so sorry. We can take this one step at a time."
You can ask"Are there children or anyone else who depended on this person? Do they have a safe place tonight?"
Funeral or cremation costs? See the guide "Someone died and the family can't pay for a funeral".
For grief support, see the guide "Grieving a death and needs support".
At the Gospel MissionPeer support counselors are here to talk. Prayer is there if they want it, never required.

2Get death certificates

Most offices want a certified death certificate. Get several copies.
The funeral home can usually order them. See the guide "Needs a marriage, divorce or death certificate".

3Tell agencies about the death

Social Security: The funeral home usually reports the death. Ask them to be sure.
Social Security Administration
Report a death and $255 lump-sum death payment
1-800-772-1213
· Mon-Fri 8am-7pm local time
Website ↗
Social Security takes back the check for the month the person died. Do not spend it.
A spouse or children may get survivor benefits or a $255 payment. Ask Social Security.
Veteran? Tell the VA. Ask about burial and survivor benefits.
NM Department of Veterans Services - Veteran Service Officer
Veterans benefits help
575-313-5627
WNMU campus, Juan Chacon Bldg., Room 138-A, 1000 W. College Ave., Silver City · Weekdays
Website ↗
Report the household change for SNAP or Medicaid.
NM Health Care Authority - Income Support Division (Grant County office)
SNAP food benefits
1-800-283-4465
3088 32nd St Bypass, Suite A, Silver City · Lobby Mon-Fri 8:00 am-4:30 pm, closed 12:00-1:30 pm for lunch. Phone line (1-800-283-4465) Mon-Fri 7:00 am-6:30 pm.
Website ↗

4Money, debts and bills

Do not use the person's bank card or write checks on their account, unless it is a joint account.
Debts are paid from what the person left behind. Family usually do not have to pay from their own money, unless they co-signed or shared the account.
To protect against identity theft, send a copy of the death certificate to the 3 credit bureaus.

5The home, car and belongings

Rental home: Tell the landlord in writing. Ask for time to move belongings out. Don't sign anything before getting advice.
Small estates: if the person left $50,000 or less (not counting a house), family can often collect it with a sworn paper called a small estate affidavit, 30 days after the death.
A house, land, or a bigger estate may need probate.
Grant County Probate Judge
Probate (small estates, heirship)
575-574-0071
1400 Highway 180 East, Silver City · By appointment
Car: The Motor Vehicle Division has forms to move a title after a death. Ask at MVD.
New Mexico Legal Aid
Free civil legal aid (local office)
575-388-0091
2005 Hwy 180 W, Suite 500, Silver City
New Mexico State Bar Foundation - Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (LREP)
Free legal helpline for people 55 and older
800-876-6657
· Statewide phone/online; Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Website ↗
Bring
  • Death certificate, will (if any), bank statements, lease, car title, and recent bills

6Children who lost a parent

If a relative is now caring for the children, see the guide "A grandparent or relative is raising someone else's children".
Kinship Guardianship Legal Helpline
Legal help for grandparents and relatives raising a child
833-355-6944
· Statewide phone/online; weekday business hours
Website ↗

More help like this

Someone died and the family can't pay for a funeralUse when a loved one has died and the family needs help with burial or cremation costs, paperwork, or grief.Found someone who may have diedUse when someone finds a person who is not moving, not breathing and may have died, at home, outside, in a car, a camp or a public place.Grieving a death and needs supportUse when someone is grieving the death of a family member, friend, child or partner and wants comfort, a group, or counseling.A veteran's family member needs helpUse when a spouse, child, parent or caregiver of a veteran or service member needs benefits, health coverage, counseling, money help or burial help.

See all guides in Family, seniors and veterans →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

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Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.