Claiming Social Security Benefits After a January Death

Had a quick question I was hoping you could help me with. A client of mine unexpectedly passed away in the middle of January. I just spoke with her husband who claims he didn’t receive her SS check for the month of January. This seemed a bit odd to me as she only just passed in the middle of January and I’m sure no death certificates were processed in time that would have stopped her benefits. Is there a way I can investigate this for them? Or have you ever heard of something like this?

When a client passes away in the middle of a month, the Social Security benefits for that month are generally still payable. However, it seems that the death may have been reported to Social Security before the January payment was issued, resulting in the Treasury withholding the check.

In your client's case, since the payment for January was not issued, her husband will need to take action to claim the benefits that were due. The appropriate course of action is for him to file Form SSA-1724, "Claim For Amounts Due In The Case Of A Deceased Beneficiary." This form allows the surviving spouse (or other eligible parties) to claim any benefits that were not paid out due to the timing of the death report.

You can assist your client by providing them with the link to the SSA-1724 form, which is available online at SSA-1724 Form. Once the form is completed and submitted to the Social Security Administration, they will process the claim and issue the payment if the deceased was indeed entitled to it.

This situation, while uncommon, can occur when the death report reaches the SSA before the payment is processed. Filing the SSA-1724 form is the correct step to resolve the issue and ensure that any due benefits are paid to the appropriate party.

The content on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, or professional advice. Social Security rules change periodically, so some information may become outdated. For the most accurate advice, consult a certified National Social Security Advisor (NSSA®). Social Security Professionals, LLC, and NSSA® are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on this blog's content. Use of this blog does not create a client relationship, and all information is provided "as is" without guarantees. By using this blog, you agree to hold Social Security Professionals, LLC, and NSSA® harmless from any claims or liabilities arising from its content. For personalized guidance, contact an NSSA® professional.