I'm really sorry for your loss, Keisha. Based on what you've described and the helpful responses from others here, it sounds like you have the right approach - reporting this on your personal tax return since you're the actual recipient of the survivor benefit. One additional thing I'd suggest is double-checking with Social Security about your ongoing survivor benefits to make sure everything is set up correctly going forward. Sometimes there can be adjustments or changes in benefit amounts that you'll want to be aware of for future tax planning. Also, if you're feeling overwhelmed by managing three different tax returns, many tax professionals offer package deals for handling multiple related returns (personal, final, and estate) which can sometimes be more cost-effective than doing them separately. Take care of yourself during this difficult time, and don't hesitate to get professional help if you need the extra peace of mind!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Keisha. This is such a difficult situation to navigate while you're grieving. I went through something similar when my uncle passed away last year, and the tax implications were really confusing at first. Based on what you've described and the excellent advice from others here, it sounds like you're on the right track. Since Social Security specifically reissued that payment to you as the survivor (evidenced by both names being on the check with "deceased" notation), it's definitely your income to report on your personal tax return, not your mom's final return or the estate return. One thing I learned that might help you - when I was dealing with my uncle's situation, I found it really helpful to create a simple timeline document that outlined what happened and when. It helped me keep everything straight for my own understanding and also served as documentation if any questions came up later. Something like: "Mom passed December 2024 → SSA issued survivor payment January 2025 → Payment deposited to my account" etc. Also, since you're dealing with three different tax returns, I'd definitely echo the advice about considering a tax professional who can handle all three as a package. The peace of mind is worth it, especially during your first year dealing with all this. Hang in there - you're doing great managing all these complex details during such a difficult time.

I'm also dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! Filed in mid-December for February benefits, been paying Medicare Part B quarterly since turning 65, and I'm currently at about 7 weeks in Stage 2 processing. Before finding this discussion, I was really starting to panic that something was wrong with my application. It's such a relief to learn that 8-12 weeks is actually normal processing time right now, and that so many others are experiencing the exact same timeline. The Medicare premium overlap issue has been my biggest source of anxiety, but thanks to everyone's detailed experiences, I now have a solid plan: 1. Expect SSA to deduct Medicare premium from first payment despite advance payments 2. Proactively call Medicare Premium Collection Center (1-800-633-4227) about 2 weeks after first SS payment arrives 3. Request the CREDIT option instead of waiting months for a refund check 4. Stop direct Medicare payments once SS benefits begin I've already set up the text alerts through MySocialSecurity (thanks Lena for that tip!) and saved all the important phone numbers. The advice about calling SSA right at 8 AM is something I'll definitely try if needed. It's incredible how much this community has helped turn what felt like an overwhelming and confusing process into something manageable with a clear roadmap. The real-world experiences and practical advice here are so much more helpful than the generic government website information. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their journeys - it's made such a difference during this stressful waiting period!

I'm also going through this exact situation and wanted to thank everyone for sharing such detailed experiences! Filed in early December for January benefits, been paying Medicare Part B quarterly since turning 65, and I'm at about 9 weeks in Stage 2 processing. This thread has been incredibly reassuring - I was getting really anxious thinking my application was stuck or something had gone wrong. Learning that 8-12 weeks is actually normal processing time right now has been such a relief! The Medicare premium overlap was my biggest concern, but now I have a clear strategy thanks to everyone's advice: - Accept that SSA will deduct the premium from my first payment regardless of advance payments - Proactively call Medicare Premium Collection Center (1-800-633-4227) about 2 weeks after my first SS payment - Request the CREDIT option rather than waiting for a refund check - Stop making direct Medicare payments once benefits start I've set up text alerts through MySocialSecurity and saved all the important numbers. The tip about calling SSA right at 8 AM is brilliant - I'll definitely try that if I need to contact them. It's amazing how this community has transformed what felt like an overwhelming and confusing process into something manageable with a clear roadmap. The real-world experiences shared here are so much more valuable than generic government website info. Thank you all for making this stressful waiting period so much more bearable!

I'm so sorry for your loss. This situation sounds incredibly frustrating, and you're absolutely right to question SSA's request. Based on what you've described, they appear to be making an error. The key thing to understand is that Social Security benefits are paid in arrears - meaning the December 3rd payment was actually for November's benefits, not December's. Since your mom was alive for the entire month of November, she was fully entitled to those benefits and you should NOT have to return that money. The "no benefits in month of death" rule correctly applies to December benefits, which would have been paid in January (and weren't, as you noted). But it shouldn't apply to November benefits that were paid in December. When you call back, I'd recommend being very specific with your questions: 1. Ask them to clarify which BENEFIT MONTH they claim was overpaid (not which payment date) 2. If they say "December," remind them that December benefits would have been paid in January and were never issued 3. Request the specific SSA regulation number they're citing 4. Ask to speak with a supervisor if they can't provide clear explanations This sounds like either a clerical error in their system or confusion by the representative about payment timing. Your mom paid into Social Security her entire working life and earned every penny of those November benefits. Don't let them pressure you into returning money without a proper explanation backed by actual SSA policy. Stay persistent and document everything - many families have successfully resolved similar situations once they reach someone who truly understands the benefit payment schedule.

I'm so sorry for your loss. What you're experiencing is unfortunately a common source of confusion with SSA, but based on your description, they appear to be making an error. You're absolutely correct in your understanding - Social Security benefits are paid in arrears, which means that December 3rd payment was for November's benefits. Since your mom was alive for the entire month of November, she was fully entitled to those benefits and that money should rightfully remain with your family. The "no benefits in month of death" rule applies to December benefits, which would have been paid in January (and correctly weren't issued). It should NOT apply to November benefits that were already earned and paid in December. When you call back, I'd suggest being very specific with these questions: 1. "Which specific BENEFIT MONTH are you claiming was overpaid - November or December?" 2. "Can you confirm the December 3rd payment was for November benefits?" 3. "What SSA regulation number are you citing for this overpayment?" 4. "If you're claiming December benefits were overpaid, why would we owe money when no December payment was ever issued?" Don't accept vague explanations. If the representative can't give you clear, specific answers, immediately ask for a supervisor. This sounds like either a system error or confusion about payment timing on their end. Your mom paid into this system her entire working life and earned every penny of those November benefits. Many families have successfully resolved identical situations once they reach someone who actually understands the benefit payment schedule. Stay persistent and document everything!

I'm so sorry you're going through this frustrating situation! Unfortunately, this seems to be a widespread issue with SSA right now. I'm dealing with something very similar - they took back $1,950 from my father's benefits claiming an overpayment, and I submitted the SSA-1724 form about 6 weeks ago with no response. From what I've learned through my own research and talking to others in similar situations, the processing times are incredibly inconsistent - anywhere from 6 weeks to 4+ months depending on your local office's backlog. The fact that they don't send any acknowledgment when they receive these forms makes the waiting even more stressful. A few things that have helped me: 1. Call 1-800-772-1213 right at 8:00 AM when they open - much better chance of getting through 2. Ask specifically if your form has been "scanned" or "imaged" into their system, not just if they received it 3. Mention your mom's medication needs and financial hardship immediately - this can sometimes flag cases for expedited review 4. Keep a detailed log of every call you make The one-month mark is frustrating but unfortunately still within their "normal" processing window. However, given your mom's medication needs, you should definitely push for expedited processing due to financial hardship. Don't give up - most people eventually do get their money back, but it requires staying persistent with the broken system. Your mom shouldn't have to choose between medications and other necessities because of their bureaucratic delays!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now and can totally relate to your frustration! They took $2,850 from my elderly mother's benefits for an alleged overpayment about 6 weeks ago, and I submitted the SSA-1724 form right away but haven't heard a single word back from them. What really gets me is how they can instantly deduct thousands of dollars but then leave us hanging for months just trying to get basic acknowledgment that they even received our appeals. My mom is 76 and depends on that money for her heart medications - the stress of not knowing what's happening is honestly affecting her health. Reading through all the advice here has been incredibly helpful. I had no idea about strategies like calling at 7:45 AM or asking specifically if the form has been "scanned into their system" rather than just asking if they received it. It's ridiculous that we have to become experts at gaming their phone system just to get information about our own cases! I'm definitely going to start keeping a detailed call log and try the early morning calling strategy this week. The system really does seem designed to wear people down and make them give up, but seeing so many success stories here gives me hope that persistence will eventually pay off. Thank you for posting this - it helps so much to know we're not fighting this broken bureaucracy alone. I'll update everyone on what strategies actually work for me!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Anastasia. What a difficult situation to navigate while grieving. After reading through all the excellent advice here, I think you have a really clear picture now of what to expect. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to ask the SSA representative about setting up direct deposit during your call if you haven't already. They can usually handle that right away, which means once your benefits are approved, payments will go directly to your account without any delays for mailed checks. Also, if you have any adult children, you might want to consider having one of them nearby during the call (or on speaker if the rep allows it) as a second set of ears. Sometimes when we're stressed or emotional, it helps to have someone else listening who can help remember important details later. You've gotten such wonderful, thorough advice from everyone here. The consensus is clear - keep your October 31st appointment and don't stress about those few days until your birthday. You're going to do great, and this community will be here if you have any follow-up questions after your appointment. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Anastasia. Having just gone through this myself when my husband passed six months ago, I completely understand the overwhelming nature of all these decisions during such a difficult time. From everything shared here, you've received absolutely excellent advice - definitely keep your October 31st appointment. That 3-day difference truly is insignificant (around 0.3-0.4% of your benefit), and getting the process started will mean your first payment arrives in November rather than December. One additional tip that helped me tremendously: after your appointment, ask the representative for their direct phone number or extension if possible. While you can always call the main SSA number, sometimes having a direct contact who's already familiar with your case can save time if you have follow-up questions or need to submit additional documentation. Also, don't be discouraged if your first payment takes 4-6 weeks to arrive after your appointment. The system can be slow, but once it starts, payments are very reliable. You sound so much more confident and prepared now after all this community support. The hardest part is often just not knowing what to expect, and you definitely have that covered now. Wishing you strength for your appointment and the journey ahead.