My husband died sept 5. It is my understanding that the check we got on the second weds of Sept was for AUG. if so social security would not take those funds back. But we would not get a check in October for Sept. is that correct?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

You're correct that your husband's payment received in September is for the month of August, and therefore he was eligible for that payment. However, since the payment was issued after your husband's death, the bank may return it to the Treasury department. If that happens and if you're not eligible for widow's benefits, you may need to complete a form to get that payment reissued to you. Information on that process can be found on the following Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1724.html.

If your husband was receiving his checks in the mail, then you'd have to return the check paid September and complete and submit the form mentioned above to have it reissued. If your husband receives a payment in October for September, that payment is not due and would need to be returned if it's issued.

If you haven't already done so, you should notify Social Security of your husband's death so that they can get his payments stopped. You also may need to apply for widow's benefits and/or the $255 lump sum death benefit, and you can make arrangements to do that by contacting Social Security.

Best, Jerry