What forms Social Security sends to relatives, and why
Social Security does send forms to relatives in specific situations, but not routinely and not to everyone in your family. The most common reason is when you file for SSDI and Social Security needs to verify information about people who depend on you financially—typically a spouse, ex-spouse, or children. Social Security may also contact relatives if you are deceased and they are explore for survivor benefits, or if they are explore for benefits on your record as a family member.
The forms Social Security sends are usually verification documents, not benefit forms. They ask relatives to confirm facts like their age, living situation, school enrollment (for children), or marital status. Social Security does not send benefit process forms to relatives unless those relatives are filing their own claims based on your work record.
You should know that Social Security will not contact relatives without a reason tied to your case or theirs. If a relative receives a form from Social Security, it is because your case or their own case triggered a need for that information.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security sends verification forms to your spouse, ex-spouse, or children only when you file for SSDI and they may be may have access to to family benefits on your record.
- Forms sent to relatives ask them to confirm facts like age, school status, or living arrangement—not to explore for benefits themselves.
- If a relative is explore for survivor benefits after your death, Social Security will send them forms to complete their own claim.
- You can authorize a representative to handle correspondence with Social Security on your behalf, which may reduce the number of forms sent directly to family members.
When Social Security contacts your spouse or ex-spouse
If you file for SSDI, Social Security will contact your current spouse if you are married and they may be may have access to to a spousal benefit—a payment based on your work record rather than their own. The form they receive is usually a Form SSA-25 (Statement Regarding Your Marriage) or a Form SSA-3820 (Statement Regarding Your Marital History), which asks them to confirm the date of your marriage, whether you are still married, and other facts about your relationship.
An ex-spouse may also receive a form if you were married for at least 10 years and they have not remarried before age 60 (or age 50 if they are disabled). Social Security needs to verify the marriage dates and confirm they meet the rules for an ex-spousal benefit. The form is similar—it asks for marriage and divorce dates and confirmation of their current marital status.
Your spouse or ex-spouse does not have to file for the benefit themselves; Social Security can process a family benefit claim based on the information they provide on the verification form. However, they must complete and return the form for Social Security to move forward.
When Social Security contacts your children
If you file for SSDI and have children under age 19 (or up to age 19 if they are in high school full-time), Social Security will likely send them a verification form. The form asks for proof of school enrollment, age, and living situation. Children do not fill out the form themselves—a parent or guardian completes it on their behalf.
The most common form is a school verification letter, which Social Security requests directly from the school. You or the school can send this to Social Security. If the child is not in school, Social Security may send a form asking the parent to confirm the child's age and current address.
Once a child turns 19 and is no longer in high school, their benefit stops automatically. Social Security does not need to contact them again unless they return to school before age 19 or if there is a change in your case that affects their benefit.
Forms sent to relatives after your death
If you die while receiving SSDI, Social Security will contact your family members who may be may have access to to survivor benefits. These are payments to your widow or widower, ex-spouse, children, and sometimes parents or grandchildren, depending on their age and relationship to you.
Each relative who applies for a survivor benefit will receive their own set of forms to complete. These are not optional—Social Security needs the information to process the claim. Forms typically include proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate), proof of age, and a statement about their current living situation and income.
A relative does not need to wait for Social Security to contact them. They can file for survivor benefits themselves by going to a local Social Security office or calling 1-800-772-1213. The sooner they file, the sooner their benefit can begin.
How to reduce forms sent to relatives
If you want to limit the number of forms sent directly to your family members, you can authorize a representative payee or a power of attorney to handle your SSDI case. A representative payee manages your benefits if Social Security determines you cannot manage them yourself. A power of attorney is someone you authorize to act on your behalf in dealings with Social Security.
With either arrangement, Social Security will send most correspondence to your representative instead of to you or your relatives. However, Social Security may still contact relatives directly if they are filing their own claims or if Social Security needs to verify information that only they can provide (such as a child's school status).
You can name a representative payee or grant power of attorney by completing Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative) and submitting it to your local Social Security office. The person you name must agree to the role.
What to do if a relative receives an unexpected form
If a relative receives a form from Social Security and they are unsure why, they should not ignore it. The first step is to contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 to ask which case the form relates to. Social Security can explain what information is needed and why.
If the form is related to your SSDI case, your relative should complete it and return it within the important date shown on the form. Missing the important date can delay your benefits or your relative's benefits. If they cannot meet the important date, they should call Social Security to ask for an extension.
If a relative believes the form was sent in error—for example, they received a form about a case they have no connection to—they should report it to Social Security when ready. This can sometimes indicate identity theft or a mistake in Social Security's records.
Forms relatives should never receive from Social Security
Social Security will never send a relative a form asking them to pay money, provide a credit card number, or click a link in an email. If a relative receives such a message claiming to be from Social Security, it is a scam. Social Security does not conduct business by email or text message, and it does not ask for payment over the phone.
Legitimate Social Security forms come by mail and have an official Social Security header. They ask for information, not money. If a relative is unsure whether a form is real, they can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to verify it before responding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my relative refuse to fill out a form Social Security sends them?
A relative can refuse, but it will delay or stop the benefit. If the form is needed to process your SSDI claim or their own claim, not returning it means Social Security cannot move forward. Social Security may deny the claim if the form is not returned within the important date.
Will Social Security send forms to my parents or siblings?
Social Security typically does not contact parents or siblings unless they are explore for their own benefits based on your record (for example, a parent over age 62 explore for a parent benefit, or a sibling who was disabled before age 22). In those cases, they will receive forms related to their own claim.
What if my relative lost the form Social Security sent them?
They should call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the form to be resent. They can also visit a local Social Security office in person. Social Security can usually resend forms quickly, but the relative should do this as soon as possible to avoid missing the important date.
Do I need to tell my relatives that Social Security might contact them?
It is a good idea to let them know, especially your spouse and children. That way, if they receive a form, they will know it is legitimate and understand why Social Security is asking for information. You can also explain that returning the form promptly helps your case move forward.