Apply for the auxilio por defunción from the Seguridad Social

What to have to hand

1. Certificado literal de defunción del Registro Civil.
2. Your DNI/NIE and, if relevant, the deceased's.
3. Funeral invoice and proof of payment in your name.
4. Your IBAN and proof of account ownership.
5. Libro de familia or marriage/civil partnership certificate (if you claim as a relative).
6. If you do it without Cl@ve: an operational mobile to receive SMS.

Documentation

• Certificado literal de defunción.
• DNI/NIE of the applicant (and of the deceased, if requested).
• Invoice from the funeral home and proof of payment (transfer, card, bank receipt) in your name.
• Document of kinship, if applicable (Libro de familia, marriage/civil partnership certificate).
• IBAN and proof of ownership (bank certificate or receipt with your name).
• Representation/authorisation if you act for another person.
• Death abroad: consular certification and sworn translation.

Step by step

1. Check you can prove you paid the funeral. Without that, there's no auxilio.
2. With Cl@ve/Certificado, go to the Sede: https://sede.seg-social.gob.es and look for Prestaciones de supervivencia. Select Auxilio por defunción.
3. Fill the form, mark Auxilio por defunción, attach legible PDFs (under 5 MB) and sign.
4. Without Cl@ve, go to https://tramites.seg-social.es, choose Prestaciones de supervivencia and use the form without certificate. Attach everything and validate by SMS.
5. In person: book a CAISS appointment here https://sede.seg-social.gob.es/wps/portal/sede/sede/Ciudadanos/cita-previa and bring originals and copies.
6. Keep the registration receipt. Check status in Tu Seguridad Social (Sede) and wait for notification. If approved, they pay into your IBAN.

Time-savers

• Scan PDFs in black & white; compress if files are big.
• If the invoice isn't in your name but you paid, attach the bank charge showing your name and the concept.
• If several relatives are involved, agree who will claim it (only one person collects it: the payer).
• If you're in a hurry and there's no appointment, do it online even without Cl@ve using the form without certificate.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Funeral invoice without proof of payment. The invoice alone isn't enough.
2. IBAN without proof of ownership. They'll stop it for “bank details not accredited”.
3. Uploading blurry or unreadable photos. They'll request them again and you'll lose weeks.
4. Claiming after 5 years. The right is prescribed.
5. Expecting a big pay-out: it's 46,50 €. Don't be surprised at the end.