Form SSA 721 serves which of the following purposes?

• A. Notifies Social Security that someone has died.
• B. Notifies Social Security that someone has died and starts the benefits process.
• C. Starts the process for a family member to receive possible Social Security benefits.
• D. It is used to file for a Lump Sum Death Benefit.

Answer: (B)

Form SSA-721 is used to notify the Social Security Administration that a death has occurred and to start the survivors benefits process. By reporting the death, SSA can locate the decedent’s records, verify work credits, and determine if a surviving spouse or dependent children are eligible for monthly survivors benefits, initiating the claims process. While there can be a path to a Lump Sum Death Benefit if applicable, the form’s primary role is the notification coupled with triggering the ongoing benefits processing rather than serving as a stand-alone Lump Sum filing.