What to Do When a Loved One Receiving Disability Benefits Dies

When a loved one who receives Social Security disability benefits dies, you may be unsure what steps to take.  For instance, you may not know whether you need to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA). You may be unsure what to do with your family member’s last disability benefits check. You may also be wondering whether you or other family members are entitled to any benefits. 

After a family member in Fort Lauderdale dies, you’ll want to make sure you fulfill all of your obligations and receive any benefits you’re entitled to. The best way to do that is to consult with an experienced Social Security disability benefits advocate.

First Things First: Notifying the SSA of the Disability Benefits Recipient’s Death

When someone with a Social Security number dies, the SSA must be notified promptly. That’s true whether or not that person was receiving Social Security disability. However, you may or may not need to handle that notification personally. Obviously, the SSA only needs one notification that a person has passed away. 

Often, when you make arrangements with a funeral home, the funeral director or someone on staff will handle the Social Security notification for you. Just make sure that you have the deceased’s Social Security number with you to share with the funeral home staff if they are handling the notification. And, make sure you are clear on whether they are submitting the notification. You will also need to provide a copy of the death certificate, though you can make the initial notification without it.

If you are notifying the SSA on your own, you can call 1-800-772-1213 or contact your local office. In Fort Lauderdale, the local Social Security office is located at 3201 W. Commercial Blvd, Suite 100. 

What Happens to the Deceased’s Social Security Disability Benefits? 

The SSA doesn’t pay Social Security disability benefits for the month when the recipient dies. However, the check or direct deposit payment may go out before the SSA has received and processed notice that the recipient has passed away. That means some disability payments may have to be returned. 

For example, if the recipient dies on August 15, they will not be entitled to Social Security disability benefits for the month of August. In fact, that’s true even for those who die at the tail end of August. 

When Social Security disability payments are paid out depends on the recipient’s birth date and when they started receiving benefits. The payment day may be the third day of the month or the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of the month. The important thing to know is that benefits are paid after the month they cover. So, August benefits would be paid out during September (with one occasional exception explained below). 

In the example above, the recipient was not entitled to August benefits. So, a payment received in September would have to be returned. If the payment is received by direct deposit, you should contact the SSA by phone so they can reverse the transaction. Occasionally, because the third falls on a holiday following a weekend, a payment will arrive at the very end of the month the benefits were earned. For example, if Labor Day falls on September 3, disability benefits recipients who are normally paid on the third day of the month will receive their August benefits on August 30. Since that payment is for August (the month of death), it would have to be returned, even though it arrived in August.

The Big Picture: Getting Educated on Your Options with Disability Benefits

When a disability recipient leaves behind a spouse, that individual may qualify for a one-time death benefit of $255. If there is no surviving spouse, certain other dependents may qualify for this benefit.

A surviving spouse and/or surviving children may also be entitled to survivor’s benefits. These benefits are unrelated to the fact that the deceased was receiving disability benefits and is available to qualifying dependents of anyone who accrued sufficient Social Security work credits. 

Determining whether you qualify for benefits and the amount of those benefits can be complicated. The benefits available depend on a variety of factors, including: 

• The age of the surviving spouse
• The number of minor children the deceased left behind
• The amount of disability benefits the deceased was receiving

Former spouses may also be entitled to benefits, but those benefits will not be counted toward the family maximum and will not reduce the benefits available to the surviving spouse and children. 

While the SSA can be helpful in sharing what benefits you may qualify for after a relative’s death, SSA representatives may not have the time to spend with you to address all your concerns and ensure that you receive every benefit available to you. A Fort Lauderdale Social Security disability representative can give you the attention you need to figure out what you must do next in order to put your mind at ease.

Call a Fort Lauderdale Social Security Disability representative

If you’ve lost a loved one in Fort Lauderdale, you should contact an experienced Social Security disability benefits advocate as soon as possible. Because disability benefits stop immediately upon an individual’s death, household income may drop abruptly. Pursuing any available survivor’s benefits promptly after losing a family member can help minimize that gap in income, and minimize the impact on your family’s financial stability.

At the Plantation, Fla. office of Disability Help Group, we have represented Social Security disability applicants and their families nationwide. We have deep knowledge of the rules and procedures and can help make the process as simple as possible whether you are applying for Social Security disability benefits, appealing a denial of disability benefits, or seeking survivor’s benefits after losing a loved one. Contact us today at 1-(800)-800-3332 to set up a consultation and get your free book,  Disability Benefits: Secrets Social Security Won’t Tell You.