Report a SNAP household member’s death to the state or local agency handling the case. Do not assume a funeral home’s report to Social Security updates SNAP immediately. The effect depends on who died, household composition, income, and the state’s applicable reporting system. [1]
Make a clear report
Provide the case number, deceased person’s name and date of death, and the surviving household’s contact details. Ask whether a death certificate or other verification is required. Keep the submission confirmation, worker’s name, and any written response.
Ask about the next benefit calculation
The agency may need to remove a member and recalculate income and deductions. Losing a household member does not always mean losing all assistance, and benefits do not necessarily change in proportion to household size. Reporting deadlines vary with the household’s reporting obligations; consult the case notice and agency rather than assuming a universal deadline. [1]
Do not treat an EBT balance as inherited cash
If the deceased was the sole member or controlled the card, ask the agency how to handle the account and any authorized representative. Do not continue using a deceased person’s benefits based merely on possession of the card. Agencies perform deceased-person verification matches and must resolve household eligibility. [2]
For example, a surviving parent and child may still qualify, but the agency needs current household and income information before determining the amount.
Ask how already issued benefits are handled
The date of death, reporting date, issuance period, and surviving household composition can affect what the agency needs to review. Ask whether any amount was overissued and request the calculation and review rights if a repayment claim is made. Do not assume every balance issued before the report is automatically available or automatically forfeited. If the household disputes the underlying death information, provide evidence and seek correction of that record promptly. Maintain the SNAP report separately from any Social Security or bank correction; notification to one system may not establish that the SNAP office received the necessary household information. [1] [2]
See SNAP household rules in shared custody and penalties for exchanging benefits for cash for separate issues affecting lawful benefit use.
Primary sources
- 7 CFR 273.12 – Reporting Requirements
- Routine Checks with Neighboring States to Prevent Duplicate Participation and Performing Deceased and Prisoner Verification Matches
Sources checked: October 31, 2026.