Jan
18
2012
By Cassadna
ok so my Mother passed a week ago, and at the time of her death she was collecting ssi, and ssdi! What happens to whatever she has left that she had paid into the program? I am 28 and was wondering if I am entitled to receive whatever benefits she has left
"Account surplus" for mother who passed away
In the United States Social Security system, there really isn't a notion of an "account balance" that can be bequeathed to a survivor after the worker has passed away.
It's true that in general, the more you worked and paid taxes into the system, the more you will receive -- on average.
However, there are many folks who paid into the system and will not receive one nickel nor be able to bequeath their "surplus" to survivors -- because the survivors don't qualify for benefits.
A surviving child like you may receive monthly survivor benefits if you are one of the following :
So if you met Social Security's disability criteria before age 22, you may qualify for survivor benefits.
http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/ww&os2.htm