Confused about survivor benefits vs. representative payee after husband's death - SS payment missing

Thank you so much for clarifying! I KNEW something didn't sound right. Do you know if I can download the SSA-1696 form online and just mail it in? Or does she still need that in-person appointment? And should I call SSA back about that payment that showed up?

Yep, SSA always pays one month behind. When my husband died, his final payment was for the previous month. They don't prorate either - if someone dies on the 30th day of a month, they get nothing for that month. Harsh system.

Yes, survivor benefits typically require an appointment, though some initial application steps can be done online. However, given her age (82) and the complexity, an in-person appointment is probably best. Be aware: There's a time limit! She should apply within the first month of your father's passing to avoid losing any benefits. If it's been more than a month, apply immediately to minimize any lost payments. For the money that appeared in her account - if it's your father's regular monthly benefit, DO NOT SPEND IT. SSA will reclaim it through their reclamation process with the bank. This happens when a death is reported after the payment process has already begun for that month.

I had the exact same experience after my husband died! I finally discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual SSA agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours or getting disconnected. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It was a lifesaver during such a stressful time. I was able to get my survivor benefits application started right away instead of spending days trying to reach someone.

That's a different situation. For someone who had a stroke and can't manage finances, the Representative Payee form is correct. For the original poster, who just wants to speak on behalf of a capable parent, the Appointed Representative form (SSA-1696) is needed. SSA's website is definitely confusing - I recommend calling and specifically asking for the "Title II Survivor Benefit Application" process and clarifying you want to be an "Appointed Representative" not a "Representative Payee."

Yes, we provided the death certificate when we reported his passing in January. They said it was recorded in their system. Good point though - we made sure to get extra copies because so many places require an original.

Thank you for that specific terminology! I'll make sure to use those exact words. It's been about 10 days since they said we'd get an appointment letter, so I'll definitely call again.

That's a good suggestion. The local office is about an hour away, but it might be worth it just to get this sorted out. I'll see if mom feels up to making the trip.