One aspect of managing a loved one's final affairs that most people aren't familiar with is how to handle their concluding Social Security retirement benefits check. Surviving family members oft incorrectly assume that the estate is entitled to keep the beneficiary's last payment or that it can be spent on things similar funeral expenses. The truth is that a senior's concluding check usually must be returned to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Agreement the Timing of Social Security Payments

Social Security retirement benefits are paid in the month post-obit the month for which they are due. For example, a senior'southward January benefit is received in February, February'south do good is straight-deposited in March and so on. Information technology's important to sympathise that the SSA simply pays benefits for a specific calendar month if the beneficiary was alive for the entirety of that month.

For instance, if your mom received her SS payment on April x and she passes away on April 29, then her manor is allowed to keep that bank check because it is actually payment for the month of March. Withal, if her next bank check is automatically direct-deposited in May, it will demand to exist returned. This is because that bank check is for the month of Apr, and the SSA does non pay benefits for the month of a casher'southward death.

How to Notify Social Security of a Death

The SSA should exist notified immediately upon the passing of a beneficiary. Most funeral homes will take care of this on behalf of the surviving family if they provide the late beneficiary'south Social Security number. Ultimately, however, information technology is the survivor'due south responsibleness to ensure the expiry is reported as soon as possible, particularly if they are acting in the role of representative payee.

Report a decease to Social Security by calling toll-complimentary at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between seven a.m. and 7 p.thousand. Mon through Friday or by visiting a local Social Security office. While the SSA has fabricated many features and services available on their website, it is not currently possible to make a Social Security death notification online.

Note that the SSA suspended face-to-face service to the public on March 17, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. In-person appointments are just available in limited, critical situations, but local Social Security offices are able to help via phone and fax. To find your local SSA field office's contact data, visit SSA.gov.

Returning Social Security Payments After Expiry

Prompt notification allows the SSA to stop paying benefits every bit soon as possible, minimizing the likelihood of confusion over whether a late casher's last check must be returned or not. If the SSA does happen to brand a payment for the month of a beneficiary's decease, do not spend it. If a deceased loved one received their benefits in check grade, do not cash any checks for the month of their death or later. Instead, return them to the SSA as presently equally possible.

If a tardily beneficiary had arranged for their payments to be directly deposited into a bank business relationship, this tin speed upwardly the returns procedure significantly. Notwithstanding, countless surviving family members have unknowingly spent these final payments and been caught off baby-sit when the amount of the payment is automatically withdrawn from the direct deposit account and returned to the SSA by the fiscal institution. Keep in mind that the SSA does not prorate the casher'southward payment for the month of expiry either.

According to the SSA, "If a do good payment is received past directly deposit, contact the bank or other financial institution as presently as possible and ask them to return whatever funds received for the calendar month of death or later." Interim quickly will assist surviving families avoid whatsoever financial confusion during an already hard time.

Applying for Social Security Survivors Benefits

Reporting a casher'southward death is also an important step in determining if any surviving family unit members are entitled to benefits based on the beneficiary's piece of work history. In some cases, survivors benefits are not paid retroactively and a person must assemble data and documents to apply, so don't delay. For more information on survivors benefits and other Social Security programs, visit the SSA website.