The date of receipt of a DNE is proof that the financial institution (FI) learned
of the beneficiary’s/recipient’s death no later than that date.
IMPORTANT: The DNE is also used by an FI to determine the date SSA learned of the death, because
a DNE normally goes out as soon as SSA receives the information. The date of the DNE
is also the starting point for the 120-day period during which SSA sends a reclamation
request through Treasury to the FI.