Social Security payment received after death - will SSA take back December deposit?

Social Security benefits are paid for the previous month, not the current month. So the payment your father received on January 3rd was actually for December. Since he passed away in December, technically he shouldn't have received a full month's payment. The SSA will likely request the money back, as benefits are only payable if the person lives through the entire month. You should contact the SSA to report this situation, as they'll eventually discover it anyway when the death certificate is processed.

when my grandmother died last year we were so confused about this too!! the funeral home told us they would notify SS but then we still got a payment. turns out SS doesnt pay partial months - if someone dies anytime during a month they're not entitled to that months payment even if they lived most of the month. weird system if u ask me!! just call them and explain, they'll tell u how to return it. dont spend it or they'll come after whoever was handling his money!

Sorry about your father. This is a common confusion. The payment received on Jan 3rd was for December, and since he didn't survive the entire month of December, that payment needs to go back to SSA. They won't take it automatically - you need to contact them. The payment that came in December (around Dec 3rd) was actually for November, and that one he was entitled to keep since he was alive all of November. SSA considers a benefit earned only when you live the entire month.

My mom died last year and SSA took BACK her payment because she died on the 29th of the month!! Literally 2 days before month end and they wanted ALL the money back. The bank actually reversed the deposit without even telling us! Just be careful because if the account is still open they might just take it back automatically. You should definitely call them ASAP.

I went through this exact situation with my mother's passing in 2024. Let me tell you, trying to get through to SSA on the phone was an absolute nightmare - spent HOURS on hold only to be disconnected multiple times. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual person at SSA in under 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Anyway, once I got through, the agent confirmed that yes, the payment would need to be returned since my mother didn't live through the entire month. If you don't report and return it voluntarily, they'll eventually figure it out and send a letter demanding repayment, which is more hassle. Better to be proactive.

SSA BENEFITS ARE CONFUSING!!! i thought the same thing when my uncle passed last year!! but NO THEY WANT THE MONEY BACK. makes no sense cause he was alive 26 days but they want ALL the money. the govt always takes and never gives!!!! 😡

This is a common misconception. Let me clarify exactly how Social Security payments work: 1. SS benefits are paid in the month FOLLOWING the month for which they are due 2. The payment received on January 3rd, 2026 was for December 2025 3. To be eligible for a month's benefit, the beneficiary must be alive for the ENTIRE month 4. Since your father passed on December 14th, he was not eligible for December benefits 5. The payment received on December 3rd, 2025 was for November 2025, which he was eligible for You have several options for returning the payment: - If it was direct deposit, contact the bank to return it - Do not write a personal check - Wait for SSA to send instructions (they will) - If you're handling the estate, you can contact SSA directly Reporting the death promptly helps avoid complications. If the death certificate has been filed, SSA will eventually process this, but it can take time. Being proactive helps avoid potential complications with the estate.

Just wondering... has anyone got the death benefit from SS yet? It's only $255 but still money is money when dealing with funeral costs etc

Update: I called SSA this morning (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it actually worked great). The agent confirmed exactly what you all said - the January payment was for December, and since dad didn't live through the entire month, we need to return it. They're sending instructions to my father's address. The agent also helped me apply for the $255 death benefit since I'm the surviving spouse. Thanks everyone for your help navigating this confusing system during such a difficult time.