Do we have to return Social Security payment received after parent died but before SSA knew about death?

Sorry for your loss. Yes, you have to return the payment. SSA pays benefits for the PREVIOUS month, not current. So Feb payment was actually for January, which he was alive for (mostly). It's the MARCH payment you'd have to return if it came through.

First, I'm very sorry about your father. The previous commenter is incorrect. Social Security benefits are paid for the current month, not the previous month. Since your father passed away in January, he was not entitled to benefits for February. So yes, that payment will need to be returned. The proper procedure is to notify SSA of the death (which you mentioned the funeral home was supposed to do), and they'll send instructions about returning the payment. If it was direct deposit, they sometimes can reclaim it automatically from the bank. Don't spend that money. If the bank account is solely in your father's name, the bank might freeze it when they learn of his death. You won't face penalties as long as you don't spend the money and cooperate with the return process.

When my mom died last year, we had a similar situation. SSA eventually pulled the money back automatically about 6 weeks later - it just disappeared from her account one day with a note saying "Treasury reclamation" or something like that. But you should still report his death to SSA yourself and not wait for the funeral home - sometimes they forget or take forever. Just call and let them know.

I had to deal with this exact situation when my grandmother died. If it's a joint account, it's especially important that YOU contact SSA directly instead of waiting. The reclamation can happen automatically, but sometimes it doesn't. If it doesn't and then gets discovered during an audit years later, there could be penalties and interest. I found out the hard way. I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a live person at SSA quickly. It saved me hours of frustration trying to reach them. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Worth it to get this resolved properly.

I work as a financial advisor specializing in retirement planning. Here's what you need to know: 1. Social Security benefits are paid in the current month they're for (unlike some pensions that pay a month behind). 2. When someone dies, they are not entitled to benefits for the month of death UNLESS they die on the very last day of the month. Since your father died on January 28th, he was not eligible for February's payment. 3. SSA will reclaim the payment, usually through the Treasury Department directly from the financial institution. 4. You should report his death to SSA as soon as possible (don't rely on funeral homes as they sometimes delay). 5. If you have power of attorney or are the representative payee, you're legally required to return the funds. Not doing so could potentially be considered fraud. I recommend calling SSA directly to report the death if it hasn't been reported yet. This is not something you want to leave unresolved.

WHATEVER YOU DO DONT SPEND THE MONEY!!!!! My uncle died and my aunt spent his last SS check and they came after her HARD!!!!! They took it out of HER social security check for like 6 months to get it back. The government always gets their money back!!!

One thing nobody mentioned - if your dad was married, his spouse might be entitled to a one-time death benefit of $255. Not much, but it's something. You should ask about that when you call SSA.

Since you had a joint account with your father, here's what will likely happen: SSA will notify the Treasury Department, which will then send a reclamation request to the bank. The bank will then debit the account for the amount of the payment. This typically happens within 1-3 months after they've been notified of the death. If you've already reported the death to SSA by phone, you've done what you need to do. Just make sure that money remains in the account. If you want extra reassurance, you can visit your local SSA office in person with a copy of the death certificate.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Going through this bureaucratic maze while grieving is incredibly difficult. Just to add to what others have said - you're absolutely doing the right thing by being proactive about this. I went through something similar with my grandfather's benefits last year. The key thing is documentation - when you do get through to SSA (and you will!), make sure to get a confirmation number or case number for reporting the death. Also ask them to mail you written confirmation that they've updated their records. One small tip: if you have trouble getting through by phone, try calling right when they open at 8 AM local time. I found that's when I had the best luck reaching someone. The wait times are usually shorter first thing in the morning. You're handling this responsibly and that's what matters. The system is set up to eventually catch these things, but being upfront about it shows good faith and will only help your situation.

I'm really sorry for your loss, Yuki. Losing a parent is never easy, and having to navigate these administrative details while grieving makes it even harder. Just wanted to add one more practical tip that helped me when I was dealing with similar issues after my father passed: keep a simple log of all your attempts to contact SSA - date, time, how long you waited, whether you got through, etc. It might seem unnecessary now, but if there are any complications later, having that documentation can be really valuable. Also, don't beat yourself up about not notifying SSA immediately. You were dealing with an incredibly difficult situation, and it's completely understandable that government paperwork wasn't your first priority. The important thing is that you're taking care of it now, and from everything I've read in this thread, you're handling it exactly the right way. Hang in there - this administrative stuff will get sorted out, and you can focus on what really matters: honoring your father's memory and taking care of yourself during this tough time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Yuki. Having gone through something similar with my mother's benefits, I wanted to share a few additional points that might be helpful: First, you're absolutely right to be concerned about the February payment - it does need to be returned since your father passed in January. But don't stress too much about the timeline. SSA understands that families are dealing with grief and logistics, and they won't penalize you for not reporting immediately. One thing I learned is that if you have any other family members who might be eligible for survivor benefits (like a spouse who was receiving spousal benefits), make sure to ask about those when you call SSA. Sometimes there are benefits people don't realize they're entitled to. Also, if your father had any direct deposit set up for other government benefits (like veterans benefits), you'll want to notify those agencies separately. SSA won't automatically notify other departments. The good news is that you're being proactive about this, and that will make the whole process smoother. You're doing everything right during an incredibly difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Yuki. Losing a parent is heartbreaking, and dealing with these administrative requirements during your grief is incredibly difficult. I wanted to share my experience from when my stepfather passed away last year. We were in almost the exact same situation - he died mid-month and received his next SS payment before we could notify them. Like others have said, you absolutely need to return that February payment since he passed in January. One thing that really helped me was going to the local SSA office in person with the death certificate. Yes, it meant taking time off work and waiting, but I was able to speak with someone face-to-face who walked me through the entire process. They gave me a receipt showing I had reported the death and explained exactly what would happen next. Sometimes the personal touch makes all the difference when you're dealing with something this important. The representative told me that they see this situation frequently and that there are no penalties as long as you're cooperative and don't spend the money. They understand that families are grieving and that immediate notification isn't always possible. Hang in there - you're handling this responsibly and it will get resolved. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Yuki. What you're going through is incredibly difficult, and it's completely understandable that notifying SSA wasn't your immediate priority during such a heartbreaking time. From my experience working with families in similar situations, you're absolutely right to be concerned about the February payment - it will need to be returned since your father passed away in January. Social Security benefits are paid for the current month, so he wasn't entitled to February's payment. Here's what I'd recommend based on what has worked for others: 1. **Don't spend that $2,375** - keep it separate in the account so it's available when SSA reclaims it 2. **Be proactive about reporting the death** - don't wait for the funeral home. Call SSA directly or visit a local office 3. **Document everything** - keep records of when you call, who you speak with, and any confirmation numbers they give you The good news is that SSA deals with this situation frequently and understands that families are grieving. There won't be penalties as long as you cooperate with returning the funds and haven't spent the money. You're handling this responsibly during an incredibly difficult time. Take care of yourself, and know that this administrative piece will get resolved so you can focus on what truly matters - grieving and honoring your father's memory.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Yuki. Losing a parent is never easy, and having to deal with government bureaucracy while grieving just adds to an already overwhelming situation. I wanted to share something that might help - when my grandmother passed away two years ago, we were in a very similar position. She died on the 15th of the month, and her next Social Security payment came through before we could notify them. Just like your situation, we had to return the payment since she wasn't alive for the entire month it covered. What I learned is that SSA has a specific process for this called "postmortem payments," and they actually expect it to happen sometimes. The key things that helped us were: 1. **Report the death as soon as possible** - We ended up going to the local SSA office with the death certificate. It took about an hour of waiting, but we walked out with a confirmation receipt and clear instructions. 2. **Don't touch the money** - We set aside the exact amount in a separate account so when Treasury reclaimed it (which happened about 6 weeks later), there were no issues. 3. **Ask about the death certificate** - SSA needed an official copy, not just a funeral home notification. Make sure you have several certified copies since other agencies will need them too. The staff at SSA were actually very understanding about the timing. They told us this happens frequently and that families aren't expected to handle government notifications immediately after a death. You're being responsible by addressing it now, and that's what matters. Take care of yourself during this difficult time. This paperwork will get sorted out, and you can focus on more important things like remembering your father and taking care of your family.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Yuki. Losing a parent is one of life's most difficult experiences, and having to navigate these administrative details while grieving makes everything feel even more overwhelming. I wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - when you do contact SSA (whether by phone or in person), ask them to put a note in your father's file about when you reported the death. This creates a paper trail showing that you were proactive about notifying them, which can be helpful if there are any questions later. Also, since you mentioned this is a joint account, make sure to ask your bank about their policies regarding accounts when one account holder passes away. Some banks have specific procedures they follow, and it's better to give them a heads up about the upcoming Treasury reclamation so there are no surprises. You're doing everything right by being careful with that money and seeking advice. The fact that you're worried about handling this correctly shows you're approaching it with the right mindset. SSA deals with these situations every day, and they understand that immediate notification isn't always possible when families are dealing with loss. Take this one step at a time, and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it. You've got a good plan forming from all the advice here, and it will get resolved properly.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Yuki. Losing a parent is incredibly difficult, and you shouldn't feel bad about not immediately thinking about government notifications during such a painful time. I work in estate planning and see this situation fairly often. You're absolutely correct that the February payment needs to be returned since your father passed away in January. The good news is that you're handling this exactly right by not spending the money and being proactive about resolving it. Based on the excellent advice already shared here, I'd recommend this approach: Call SSA first thing Monday morning at 8 AM (as others suggested), and if you can't get through after a few attempts, visit your local SSA office in person with a certified copy of the death certificate. When you do reach them, ask for a confirmation number and request that they note in your father's file the date you reported his death. Also, give your bank a courtesy call to let them know about the upcoming Treasury reclamation so there are no surprises when that money is withdrawn from the account. You're being incredibly responsible during one of life's most challenging times. This administrative matter will get resolved properly, and then you can focus on what truly matters - grieving and honoring your father's memory. Take care of yourself.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Yuki. Losing a parent is heartbreaking, and please don't feel guilty about not immediately handling government paperwork during such a traumatic time - that's completely normal and understandable. You've received excellent advice here, and I just wanted to add one small tip that helped me when my mother passed away last year. When you do get through to SSA (whether by phone or in person), ask them to email or mail you a summary of what was discussed and what steps they're taking. Having that written confirmation gave me such peace of mind that everything was properly documented. Also, if you're the executor of your father's estate or handling his affairs, you might want to ask SSA about getting a "no benefits due" letter once everything is resolved. Some financial institutions and other agencies ask for this documentation when closing accounts or transferring assets. You're handling this with such care and responsibility during an incredibly difficult time. Your father would be proud of how thoughtfully you're managing everything. Take care of yourself, and remember that this administrative piece is temporary - it will get resolved so you can focus on healing and remembering the wonderful memories you shared with your dad.