Social Security reclaimed deceased mother's final payment - confused about SSA-1724-F4 form for underpayment claim

Yes, SSA-1724-F4 is the right form for underpayments to a deceased beneficiary. You don't need to write the amount - the SSA already knows exactly what they reclaimed. They'll determine the payment amount based on their records. Just complete all the personal info sections, your relationship to the deceased, and submit the documentation they request (usually death certificate and proof you're the executor). The February payment was for January, so they took it back since he wasn't alive for the full month of January. This is standard procedure.

sorry for your loss. my mom died last year and same thing happened. SS takes back the last payment automatically then you have to file for whats owed. its so frustrating when your dealing with grief!!

When my husband died they did the same thing. The form you have is correct but BE CAREFUL because they're very picky about how it's filled out. I had mine rejected twice! Make sure you include ALL requested documents. The underpayment should be prorated for the days your father was alive in January. IMPORTANT: There's also a one-time death benefit of $255 you can apply for if you're eligible (spouse or dependent child). That's a separate form - SSA-8.

I had to handle this exact situation last year with my grandmother. Here's what you need to know about the SSA-1724-F4: 1. As others mentioned, you don't list the reclaimed amount - SSA has that on record 2. Parts I and II are straightforward personal information 3. In Part III, you'll indicate your status as executor 4. Part IV requires documentation proving your status 5. Don't forget to sign and date Part V The payment they'll issue is prorated based on the days your father was alive in January - they calculate this as: (monthly benefit ÷ days in month) × days alive in month. Also, underpayment claims can take 45-60 days to process, so be prepared to wait.

Just adding to what others have said - if you're having trouble getting through to SSA to ask questions (which is really common these days), I recently discovered a service called Claimyr that got me through to a live agent in under 10 minutes when I was dealing with my mom's benefits. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It saved me hours of redial frustration when I was trying to sort out a similar underpayment issue. Much easier than spending days trying to get through or waiting for a callback that never comes.

The form you received (SSA-1724-F4) is specifically for underpayments to deceased beneficiaries, so yes, it's the correct form. Social Security reclaims the final deposit because benefits are paid in arrears - the February 2nd payment covered January. As executor, you're filing for what's called a "partial month payment" for the days your father was alive in January. SSA calculates this internally based on their records - you don't need to specify the amount. If your father was married, his surviving spouse would typically be first in line for this payment. If not, it goes to children or the estate according to SSA's order of priority. Make sure you submit proof of your executor status with the form.

One other thing to be aware of - the SSA won't just automatically send the payment to the same bank account they reclaimed funds from. They'll either send a paper check to the address you provide on the form, or you can request direct deposit by providing your own bank information in Part II-B of the form. Also, don't forget to apply for the $255 lump-sum death benefit if you haven't already. As his child, you're eligible if there's no surviving spouse.

Yes, you can submit both forms together. The $255 death benefit application is form SSA-8, and it's fairly straightforward. Just be aware that you typically need to apply for this within two years of the death. One final tip - keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit, and if possible, submit the forms in person at your local SSA office and ask for a receipt. This creates a clear paper trail in case anything gets lost in processing (which happens more often than it should).

Thank you all so much for this helpful information! I feel much more confident about handling this now. I'll make sure to: 1. Complete the SSA-1724-F4 form (without worrying about listing the amount) 2. Include my executor documents and his death certificate 3. Apply for the $255 death benefit with form SSA-8 4. Keep copies of everything 5. Try to submit in person if possible It's frustrating that these processes aren't more clearly explained by SSA, especially during such a difficult time. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share your experiences and advice.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. This is such a difficult time to have to navigate all this bureaucracy. I went through something very similar when my dad passed away two years ago, and I want to share a few additional tips that helped me: 1. When you submit the forms, ask the SSA office for a "receipt for items submitted" - it's different from just getting a regular receipt and creates better documentation. 2. If you're able to, try to get the name of the SSA employee who helps you. Sometimes having a specific contact can be helpful if there are follow-up questions. 3. The prorated payment calculation they do is very precise - in my dad's case, he passed on the 8th of the month and we received payment for exactly 8/31 of his monthly benefit. 4. One thing that surprised me was that they sent a separate letter explaining the calculation a few weeks after the payment arrived, so don't be alarmed if you get additional correspondence later. You've gotten excellent advice from everyone here. The community really comes through when people need help navigating these complex situations. Wishing you strength as you handle everything.

I'm really sorry for your loss, Owen. Having to deal with all this paperwork while grieving is incredibly difficult, and I'm glad you found such a supportive community here. I wanted to add one more piece of advice based on my own experience with my grandmother's benefits last year. When you go to submit the forms, if possible, try to go during mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) and earlier in the day. The SSA offices tend to be less crowded then, which means the staff can often spend more time explaining things and double-checking that your paperwork is complete before you leave. Also, if you run into any issues with the local office, don't hesitate to try a different SSA location if there's another one reasonably close to you. Sometimes different offices have staff who are more experienced with certain types of claims. The fact that everyone here has been so helpful shows that you're not alone in this process. These situations are unfortunately common, and while the system could definitely be more user-friendly, at least there are people who understand what you're going through. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. Losing a parent is incredibly difficult, and having to navigate all this Social Security paperwork while grieving makes it even harder. I went through this exact same situation when my mother passed away in 2022. The SSA-1724-F4 form is definitely the correct one for claiming underpayments to deceased beneficiaries. Everyone here has given you excellent advice - you absolutely don't need to specify the reclaimed amount on the form since SSA already has that information in their system. One small thing I'd add that I learned the hard way: when you submit the form, make sure your contact information is crystal clear and legible. They may need to reach you if they have any questions about your documentation, and unclear phone numbers or addresses can delay the process significantly. Also, be prepared that the prorated payment might seem smaller than expected - it's calculated based on the exact number of days your father was alive in January, so if he passed early in the month, it will be a fraction of his full monthly benefit. You're handling this as well as anyone could under the circumstances. This community has given you great guidance, and you should feel confident moving forward with the paperwork. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. My heart goes out to you during this incredibly difficult time. I went through this exact situation with my father's benefits about 18 months ago, and I can tell you that everyone here has given you spot-on advice. The SSA-1724-F4 is absolutely the right form, and you're correct not to worry about listing the reclaimed amount. One thing I want to clarify about the timing since you mentioned some confusion - Social Security benefits are paid in arrears, meaning the payment received in February was actually for January. Since your father passed on February 3rd, he was alive for the entire month of January, so the underpayment you'll receive should be his full January benefit (the amount they reclaimed). This is different from a partial month calculation that would apply if he had passed partway through January. The process took about 6 weeks in my case, and they were very thorough about documentation. Make sure you have multiple certified copies of the death certificate because various agencies will want to keep originals. You're doing everything right by asking questions and getting prepared. This community really understands what you're going through, and don't hesitate to come back if you need more support along the way.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. Going through all this paperwork while grieving is truly overwhelming, and I'm glad you found such a helpful community here. I wanted to add one more practical tip that saved me a lot of stress when I dealt with my grandfather's benefits last year. Before you go to the SSA office, call ahead and ask what their current wait times are like and whether they recommend making an appointment. Some offices are taking appointments for estate-related matters, which can save you hours of waiting. Also, if you're like me and tend to get flustered with paperwork, consider bringing a trusted family member or friend with you to the appointment. Having someone there for moral support and to help you remember questions or catch details you might miss can be really valuable. The SSA-1724-F4 form is definitely correct, and everyone's advice about not needing to specify the amount is accurate. You're handling this as well as anyone could under such difficult circumstances. Take it one step at a time, and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it - both from SSA staff and from supportive communities like this one.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. Having to navigate all this bureaucracy while grieving is incredibly difficult, and I can see you've received excellent guidance from this community. I went through something very similar when my mom passed away last year. One additional thing that helped me was keeping a simple log of all my interactions with SSA - dates, names of representatives I spoke with, what was discussed, and any reference numbers they gave me. It became really useful when I had to follow up, especially since different representatives sometimes gave slightly different information. Also, when you do submit the SSA-1724-F4, ask them for an estimated timeline for processing. While they can't guarantee exact dates, most offices can give you a general range (usually 4-8 weeks) so you know what to expect. You're handling this really well under such difficult circumstances. This community has given you all the key information you need to move forward successfully. Take care of yourself during this process - dealing with estate matters is emotionally draining even when you have good support and clear guidance.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. Losing a parent is heartbreaking, and having to deal with all this confusing paperwork while you're grieving just adds so much unnecessary stress. I went through this exact same situation when my dad passed away about three years ago. Everyone here has given you fantastic advice - the SSA-1724-F4 is definitely the right form, and you absolutely don't need to worry about listing the amount they reclaimed since they already have all that information in their system. One thing I learned that might help you is to make sure you bring a small folder or envelope to organize all your documents when you go to the SSA office. I was so scattered emotionally that I kept fumbling with papers, and having everything organized in one place made the whole process smoother. Also, don't be afraid to ask the SSA representative to explain anything you don't understand - most of them are actually quite patient when dealing with bereaved family members. The waiting is probably the hardest part. In my case, it took about 7 weeks to receive the underpayment, but every situation is different. Just know that you're doing everything right by asking questions and getting prepared ahead of time. This community really is wonderful for support during these difficult times. You've got this, and don't hesitate to come back if you need more help along the way.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. Having to navigate Social Security paperwork while grieving is incredibly overwhelming, and I'm glad you found such a supportive community here. I went through this same situation when my grandmother passed away last year. Everyone has given you excellent advice - the SSA-1724-F4 is absolutely the correct form, and you don't need to specify the reclaimed amount since SSA already has that in their records. One small tip I'd add: when you submit your paperwork, ask the SSA representative to verify that all your documents are complete and acceptable before you leave the office. I had to make a second trip because one of my documents wasn't certified properly, which delayed everything by weeks. Having them double-check everything while you're there can save you a lot of time and frustration. Also, be prepared that the process might feel slow - mine took about 8 weeks total - but stay patient. The system works, it's just not very fast. You're handling this really well under difficult circumstances, and this community has given you all the guidance you need to succeed. Take care of yourself during this process. You've got this.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. Losing a parent is one of life's most difficult experiences, and having to navigate all this bureaucratic paperwork while you're grieving just makes everything so much harder. I went through this exact same process when my father passed away about two years ago. Everyone here has given you absolutely perfect advice - the SSA-1724-F4 is definitely the right form for your situation, and you're correct that you don't need to list the amount they reclaimed since SSA already has all that information in their system. One thing I'd add that really helped me was to make photocopies of every single document before you submit anything, and keep them in a separate folder at home. Not just the forms themselves, but also your death certificate, executor paperwork, everything. I ended up needing to reference some of these documents later for other estate matters, and having my own copies saved me from having to request duplicates. Also, when you go to submit everything, try to go on a day when you're feeling emotionally stronger if possible. I made the mistake of going when I was having a particularly rough day with grief, and I ended up getting overwhelmed and teary in the office, which made it harder to focus on what the representative was explaining to me. The prorated payment calculation they do is very precise - since your father passed on February 3rd but was alive for all of January, you should receive his full January benefit amount. The processing time in my case was about 6 weeks, but it varies by office. You're handling all of this really well under incredibly difficult circumstances. This community has given you excellent guidance, and you should feel confident moving forward. Take care of yourself during this process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. Losing a parent is incredibly difficult, and having to navigate all this confusing paperwork while you're grieving makes it even more overwhelming. I went through something very similar when my mother passed away last year. Everyone here has given you excellent advice - the SSA-1724-F4 is absolutely the correct form, and you definitely don't need to worry about listing the reclaimed amount since SSA already has that information. One thing I learned that might help is to call the SSA office before you go and ask if they have any specific requirements for document formatting or if there are certain days/times when they're less busy. Some offices have gotten really particular about things like how documents are copied or whether they need original vs. certified copies of certain items. Also, don't feel bad if you need to bring someone with you for support or if you get emotional during the process. The SSA representatives deal with bereaved families regularly, and most of them are understanding about how difficult this situation is. You're doing everything right by asking questions and preparing ahead of time. This community really comes through with practical advice from people who've actually been through the process. Hang in there - you've got this.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. Losing a parent is heartbreaking, and having to navigate all this bureaucratic paperwork while grieving just adds another layer of stress to an already overwhelming situation. I went through this exact process when my dad passed away about 18 months ago, and I can confirm that everyone here has given you spot-on advice. The SSA-1724-F4 is absolutely the correct form for underpayments to deceased beneficiaries, and you're right not to worry about specifying the reclaimed amount - SSA already has all that data in their system. One additional tip that really helped me: when you call or visit the SSA office, ask them to confirm the exact date they have on file for your father's death. In rare cases, there can be discrepancies between what different agencies have recorded, and if SSA's date doesn't match your death certificate, it can complicate the calculation. Better to catch any potential issues upfront. Also, keep in mind that while most people's experiences here seem to be in the 6-8 week range for processing, mine took almost 10 weeks because it got caught up in some kind of review process. Don't panic if it takes longer than expected - just follow up if you haven't heard anything after 8 weeks. You're handling this really well under incredibly difficult circumstances. This community has given you excellent guidance, and you should feel confident moving forward with the process. Take care of yourself during this time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. My heart goes out to you during this incredibly difficult time - losing a parent is devastating, and having to navigate all this confusing bureaucracy while you're grieving just makes everything so much harder. I went through this exact same situation when my mom passed away about a year ago. Everyone in this thread has given you absolutely excellent advice, and I can confirm from my own experience that the SSA-1724-F4 is definitely the correct form for your situation. You're absolutely right not to worry about listing the reclaimed amount - SSA already has all that information in their system. One thing I learned that might be helpful is to bring a small notebook with you when you go to the SSA office. I was so emotionally overwhelmed that I kept forgetting important details they told me, so having something to jot down reference numbers, timelines, or follow-up instructions was really valuable. Also, if you have any other questions about Social Security benefits or need to call them for any reason during this process, don't hesitate to reach back out to this community. Everyone here really understands what you're going through, and there's so much collective wisdom from people who've navigated these same challenges. You're handling this as well as anyone possibly could under such heartbreaking circumstances. Take care of yourself, and know that you have support here whenever you need it.