Dec
02
2011
By S00623339
I recently lost my father and he was my primary support system. I am a full-time student and work part-time. He passed away a week ago and I have received his check. Am I entitled to it or should it be returned? Please advise as I am seeking input and direction as I am unable to handle the current bills with no place to go. I have exceeded the age of surviving children benefits and not sure what my next step should be.
Forums:
Benefits received after passing of beneficiary
Social Security benefits are not pro-rated. To be entitled to a Social Security benefit check for a given month, the person must be alive the entire month. No benefit is payable for the month of death.
You can return the check to your local Social Security office. If the payment is made by direct depost, the U.S. Treasury will automatically debit the bank account.
http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/431
If your father was owed an "underpayment" (SSA owes him more than normal monthly benefits), there is a chance you can claim the underpayment. See here for details :
http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/319
A one-time payment of $255 is payable to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the beneficiary at the time of death, OR if living apart, was eligible for Social Security benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record for the month of death.
If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who was eligible for benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record in the month of death.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/deathbenefits.htm
Are you the only survivor? There may be assets from his estate that he may have left to you. If he worked, many employers have life insurance for their employees.
You may want to try benefits.gov. They have a screening tool to see what you might qualify for.
http://www.benefits.gov/
Bless you.