Social Security survivor benefits question - what happens to my deceased father-in-law's last SS check?

First, I'm very sorry for your family's loss. To answer your question - yes, your mother-in-law should receive the payment for February since he was alive for the entire month. Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month they are due for. She should contact the SSA as soon as possible to report his death if she hasn't already. They'll explain the process, but generally: 1. If his payment was direct deposit, they may recall it temporarily until they verify eligibility 2. If it was a paper check, she shouldn't cash it until speaking with SSA 3. She'll need to apply for the survivor benefits - these aren't automatic! The funeral home might have already reported the death, but she should still call to confirm and start the survivor benefits application process.

When my husband died they took BACK his last check even though it was for the month before he died!!! so frustrating. they said something about how they pay benefits at the beginning of the month AFTER the month they're for. you need to call them right away.

The previous responses are partially correct, but let me clarify how Social Security handles this situation: Social Security benefits are paid in arrears - meaning the payment received in March is for February's benefits. However, SSA has a special rule: a person must be alive for the ENTIRE month to receive benefits for that month. Since your father-in-law passed away in March, he was alive for all of February, so that payment (coming in March) IS payable to the estate or eligible survivor. Your mother-in-law should: 1. Make sure SSA knows about his death (sounds like she did) 2. Specifically ask about the last payment when applying for survivor benefits 3. Be prepared to complete form SSA-1724 (Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of a Deceased Beneficiary) Also, there's a one-time death benefit of $255 she should apply for, and she'll be eligible to receive either her own benefit or 100% of his - whichever is higher.

I just went through this nightmare with my mom when dad passed in January. Getting through to someone at Social Security was IMPOSSIBLE! The offices were still doing limited in-person appointments and the phone lines were jammed. After 2 weeks of trying multiple times daily with no luck, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got us through to a real SSA agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once we actually reached someone, they explained that mom was entitled to that final payment since dad was alive the whole previous month. The agent also walked her through applying for survivor benefits right then on the phone. Honestly worth it after wasting hours trying to get through ourselves.

NOPE SS WILL TAKE BACK THE PAYMENT!!!! My husband died last year and they yanked his last payment right out of our account even though it was for the month before he died!!!! When I called to complain they said "benefits aren't payable for the month of death" which makes NO SENSE because it was for the PREVIOUS month!!! The whole system is a SCAM they just want to keep our money!!!

This happened when my aunt passed last summer. My uncle had the hardest time getting everything figured out with her last check. The SSA actually put a hold on it initially, then released it after he explained she was alive the whole month before. Make sure your mother-in-law keeps checking her bank account to see if they put a hold on the deposit.

Just to follow up on my earlier comment - your mother-in-law should be eligible for the February payment (paid in March) since he was alive all of February. However, she won't receive any payment for March (which would normally be paid in April) because he didn't live through the entire month of March. When she applies for survivor benefits, she should receive either her current benefit amount or up to 100% of his benefit amount, whichever is higher. In your case, it sounds like taking his higher benefit would be best. Also remind her that survivor benefits must be applied for - they don't automatically convert her existing benefits. Many people miss this important step.

tell her to bring EVERYTHING!! i had to make 3 trips because they kept asking for more papers. bring marriage certificate, birth certificates, his death certificate (several copies), her ss card, his ss card if u have it, tax returns, bank statements... they make it so difficult!

my condolances on your loss. when my mom died they did deposit her last check then took it back out a few days later!!! then put it back again after my dad called them. its so confusing i think even the ssa people dont know there own rules sometimes

I'm sorry for your family's loss. I work in benefits administration and can clarify the confusion here. Your father-in-law's February payment (received in March) should absolutely be payable since he lived through the entire month of February. The key rule is that beneficiaries must be alive for the complete calendar month to receive benefits for that month. However, Social Security may initially freeze or recall the payment when they process the death report, even if it's legitimately owed. This is a protective measure while they verify details. Your mother-in-law should specifically mention this February payment during her survivor benefits appointment and ask them to verify it wasn't improperly withheld. One important note: if the payment does get recalled initially, don't panic. She can file Form SSA-1724 to claim any benefits properly due to the estate. The SSA representative should be able to help with this during her appointment. Also make sure she asks about the $255 lump-sum death payment - it's a small benefit but every bit helps during this difficult time.