Chapter
The Death Master File and its Origins
09:00 - 12:43 (03:43)
The Death Master File was initially created by the Social Security Administration to track who was dead and who wasn't in order to pay benefits, and the public version of it can be accessed as a way to determine if someone is deceased. The Postal Service is mentioned as a source for reporting deaths, but it is not widely publicized.
Clips
The Death Master File was established in 1936 alongside the Social Security Numbers and took until 1980 for the public to gain access to this list through a lawsuit filed under the Freedom of Information Act.
09:00 - 09:44 (00:44)
Summary
The Death Master File was established in 1936 alongside the Social Security Numbers and took until 1980 for the public to gain access to this list through a lawsuit filed under the Freedom of Information Act. The master death file is called the numident, which contains all information about the file.
ChapterThe Death Master File and its Origins
EpisodeSelects: What Happens When the Government Thinks You're Dead?
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The Death Master File is the public version which is maintained by the Social Security Administration.
09:44 - 10:20 (00:36)
Summary
The Death Master File is the public version which is maintained by the Social Security Administration. There are various ways in which the names of deceased individuals are reported to the administration such as through funeral homes or hospitals, and it is ultimately the family's responsibility to report it.
ChapterThe Death Master File and its Origins
EpisodeSelects: What Happens When the Government Thinks You're Dead?
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The Death Master File is a list of those who have passed away, used by government agencies and financial institutions to determine eligibility for benefits and prevent fraud.
10:20 - 12:43 (02:22)
Summary
The Death Master File is a list of those who have passed away, used by government agencies and financial institutions to determine eligibility for benefits and prevent fraud. Originally created by the Social Security Administration, it is now maintained by the National Technical Information Service.