A friend dad ped and he wants to claim life insurance but has no SSN?

His dad was legal resident who sponsered his son but before paper work could process all the way his dad ped and left him life insurance policy listing him as a Beneficiary. He has an itin number issuid so he can file taxes until he recieves work authorization in plus ssn number. Now he has the claim form and is worried. I personally told him to hire attorney but is there any immediate advice?