What happens to Social Security payment received after parent died in nursing home?

I'm sorry for your loss. Social Security benefits are not payable for the month of death, regardless of what day in the month the person dies. Since your mother passed on October 1st, she was not entitled to the October payment (which covers September). SSA will automatically reclaim that payment once they're notified of her death. As for the death benefit, yes - you can apply for the $255 lump-sum death payment if you paid for her funeral expenses or if you're her surviving spouse. If you're just her child and not paying for funeral expenses, you might not qualify unless there's no surviving spouse.

my dad died last year and they pulled the money right back out of his account about 2 weeks after he died. they just do it automatically once the death is reported. dont spend that money or you'll be in trouble when they come for it!

You need to report your mother's death to Social Security ASAP if you haven't already. Call them at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. They'll stop payments and tell you about any benefits you might be eligible for. Regarding the October 3rd payment: That payment is actually for September (SS pays a month behind). Since she was alive all of September, technically that payment was correctly issued. HOWEVER, because she died on the 1st of the following month, SSA will reclaim it - that's just how their rules work. The money will be withdrawn automatically once they process the death notification. For the $255 death benefit, you can apply if you paid her funeral expenses. Bring the funeral receipts when you apply.

When my grandmother died last year, we had SUCH a hard time getting through to Social Security to report her death! Spent DAYS calling that 800 number and either got disconnected or waited for hours. So frustrating when you're already dealing with grief. The local office was booked out for weeks too. Just prepare yourself for that process - it's not easy.

Thank you all for the helpful information. I'll definitely report her death right away and prepare for them to reclaim that payment. I've gathered her funeral receipts for the death benefit application. It's a relief to know what to expect - this whole process has been overwhelming.

Sorry about ur mom. when my dad died the nursing home told social security before we even had time to call them!! the payment was gone from his account like 10 days later. they dont even warn you they just take it back.

Since your mother was on Medicaid in a nursing home, there's another important consideration. The state Medicaid agency may have a claim against her assets, including bank accounts, under the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program. You should contact your state's Medicaid office to understand their specific requirements. Being a joint account holder might complicate things, as the state may still consider those funds recoverable assets.

my neighbor told me the $255 death benefit is only for spouses not children is that true???

I was able to report my mother's death to Social Security today. They confirmed they'll be reclaiming the October payment. The agent also helped me apply for the lump sum death benefit since I paid for her funeral expenses. They said I'll receive a decision in about 30 days. Thanks to everyone for your guidance - it made this process much less confusing!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Dmitry. It sounds like you've handled this difficult situation with grace and thoroughness. One additional thing to keep in mind - since you mentioned your mother was in a nursing home and on Medicaid, you might want to ask the SSA agent about any other potential benefits or considerations specific to your situation when you speak with them. Sometimes there are nuances that don't come up in general information. Also, make sure to get confirmation numbers or reference numbers for all your interactions with SSA - it can be helpful if you need to follow up later. Wishing you peace during this challenging time.

I'm sorry for your loss, Dmitry. It sounds like you've been handling this difficult situation very thoughtfully. One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet - when SSA reclaims that October payment, they typically do it through an automatic electronic withdrawal from the account where it was deposited. Since you're a joint account holder, this should happen smoothly without any issues on your end. Also, regarding the nursing home potentially reporting the death, many facilities do have procedures for this, but it's still important that you reported it directly as the family member. This ensures all the proper notifications are made and helps expedite processing of any benefits you're eligible for. You're doing all the right things during what I know is an incredibly difficult time.

I'm sorry for your loss, Dmitry. It sounds like you've gotten excellent guidance from this community and handled everything properly. One thing I'd add - since you mentioned being joint owner on the account, you might want to contact your bank to let them know about your mother's passing as well. Some banks have specific procedures for joint accounts when one holder passes away, and they can help ensure the automatic SSA withdrawal goes smoothly when they reclaim that October payment. Also, keep copies of all the paperwork related to the death benefit application and any reference numbers SSA gave you. These records can be invaluable if you need to follow up or if any questions arise down the road. You're doing everything right during such a difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Dmitry. It's clear you've been handling this difficult situation with such care and attention to detail. Reading through this thread, it's wonderful to see how supportive this community has been in guiding you through the Social Security process. One small additional tip - when you do receive that lump sum death benefit decision in about 30 days, if it's approved, the payment typically comes as a separate check or direct deposit, not added to the regular account where your mother's benefits were going. Just wanted to mention that so you know what to expect. You've really done everything right during such a challenging time, and I hope the process continues to go smoothly for you.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Dmitry. It sounds like you've navigated this incredibly difficult process with remarkable grace and thoroughness. As someone who works with families going through similar situations, I want to commend you for being so proactive in handling all these details while grieving. One thing I'd add to all the excellent advice you've received - consider keeping a simple timeline document of all the actions you've taken (reporting the death, applying for benefits, bank notifications, etc.) with dates and reference numbers. This can be incredibly helpful not just for your own records, but if you need to help other family members understand what's been done or if any questions arise months down the road. Also, while you're waiting for the death benefit decision, don't hesitate to call SSA if you have any other questions or if your situation changes in any way. You've clearly established a good working relationship with them, and they're there to help during this transition period. Wishing you peace as you continue to handle your mother's affairs and process your grief.