How to get government check reissued after dad's death? Overpayment issue too
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle and could use some advice. My dad recently passed away and we received a check from the government in his name a few days after he died. The problem is, we can't cash it because it's in his name, and there's also a small overpayment for the days after he passed. I'm trying to figure out how to get the check reissued in a family member's name. Has anyone dealt with something similar? What's the best way to handle this situation?
22 comments


Owen Jenkins
I'm so sorry for your loss. This is a common issue, unfortunately. You'll need to contact the agency that issued the check and inform them of your father's passing. They should have a process for reissuing checks in these situations. Make sure you have a copy of the death certificate handy – they'll probably need that.
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Alice Coleman
•Thank you for the advice and kind words. I'll definitely gather all the necessary documents before making the call. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly 🤞
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Lilah Brooks
•Yep, death certificate is key. Also, might wanna check if you need letters of administration or smth similar. Some places are real sticklers about proving you have the right to handle the deceased's affairs.
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Jackson Carter
Ugh, bureaucracy at its finest 🙄 Why can't they just have a simple process for this stuff? It's not like death is uncommon. Sending strength your way, OP. Dealing with paperwork while grieving is the worst.
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Kolton Murphy
Here's what you need to do: 1. Contact the issuing agency ASAP. Explain the situation clearly. 2. Have the death certificate ready. They'll almost certainly need this. 3. Ask about their specific process for reissuing checks in cases of death. 4. Inquire about any forms you need to fill out. There's usually paperwork involved. 5. Find out if they need any additional documentation (e.g., proof of relationship, will, etc.) 6. Be prepared to return the original check or provide its details. 7. Ask about the timeline for reissuing the check. 8. Keep detailed notes of all conversations, including names and dates. 9. Follow up regularly if you don't hear back. 10. Be patient. Government processes can be slow. Remember, you're not alone in this. Many people have been through similar situations. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you're feeling overwhelmed. Good luck!
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Alice Coleman
•Wow, thank you so much for this detailed breakdown! It's really helpful to have all the steps laid out like this. I'll definitely be following this guide when I make the call.
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Evelyn Rivera
•This is solid advice. I'd add: if possible, try to get everything in writing. Email confirmations can be lifesavers if things get messed up down the line.
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Julia Hall
•facts 💯 government agencies love to play hot potato with responsibility. get EVERYTHING in writing
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Arjun Patel
Been there, done that. It's a pain, but it's doable. Just be prepared for a lot of waiting on hold and repeating your story to different people. And whatever you do, DON'T cash that check! That'll open up a whole new can of worms.
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Alice Coleman
•Thanks for the warning! I definitely won't try to cash it. Did you have any issues with the overpayment when you went through this?
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Arjun Patel
•Nah, they sorted it out when they reissued the check. Just make sure you mention it upfront so they can adjust accordingly. They deal with this stuff all the time.
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Jade Lopez
Quick question - was this a Social Security check? If so, I can give you some specific advice on dealing with the SSA. They have their own special brand of red tape 🙃
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Alice Coleman
•It wasn't Social Security, but thanks for offering! It was actually from [redacted government agency]. Any idea if their process might be similar?
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Jade Lopez
•Ah, gotcha. Can't say for sure, but most gov agencies follow similar playbooks. The advice others have given here should still apply. Just be ready for a marathon, not a sprint!
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Tony Brooks
Hey guys, I actually found a method to get someone on the phone quickly for situations like this. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ
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Ella rollingthunder87
•Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this? Kinda skeptical about paying for something like this...
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Tony Brooks
•I get the skepticism, but it really did work for me. Saved me hours of hold time. But yeah, do your own research before trying anything new!
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Yara Campbell
•wait fr? might have to check this out. been trying to get thru to unemployment for WEEKS 😩
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Isaac Wright
pro tip: if u can, try to find a specific person or department that handles these cases. general customer service might just bounce u around. look for terms like "deceased payee" or "estate services" on their website
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Maya Diaz
Am I the only one who thinks its ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops? The system is broken, man. Sorry you're dealing with this on top of losing your dad, OP. Sending virtual hugs 🫂
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Tami Morgan
•Preach! 🙌 The amount of bureaucracy involved in death is insane. It's like they want to make a difficult time even harder.
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Rami Samuels
•ikr? my cousin went thru something similar last year. took MONTHS to sort out. absolute 🤡 show
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