Social Security Orders Return of Benefits Paid After Death, Offers $255 Survivor Payment
Updated
Updated · Money · Aug 9
Social Security Orders Return of Benefits Paid After Death, Offers $255 Survivor Payment
1 articles · Updated · Money · Aug 9
Summary
Social Security says benefits paid for the month of a recipient’s death and any later months must be returned, even if the deposit already cleared in a joint account.
Direct-deposit payments should not be spent or withdrawn; the agency says families should contact the bank, which may reverse the payment or freeze the deceased person’s account after a Treasury reclaim.
Funeral directors often report deaths to Social Security, but survivors should confirm the agency was notified and return any paper checks without cashing them.
Eligible survivors may still claim benefits, including a $255 lump-sum death payment and monthly survivor benefits worth 71.5% to 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit.
Survivor benefits must be claimed by phone at 1-800-772-1213, and Social Security will pay the higher of a person’s own benefit or the survivor benefit—not both.