When a person dies but is still owed the previous month's amount of benefit because he was still alive to social security still pay?? And if there is no living widow because she is deceased also what happens to the one time $255 payment

Hi,

Yes, if a person is due benefits that weren't paid prior to their death, those benefits can be paid to eligible survivors as an underpayment. There is a specific priority order that determines who is entitled to receive an underpayment, which is explained on the following Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1724.html.

The $255 lump sum death benefit is only payable when there is either a surviving spouse, or a child eligible for monthly benefits on the deceased's earnings record for the month the worker died.

Best, Jerry