We shared apt in NJ. On third Wed. of each month. Mother died on 4/14/16.......Her March Social Security check was direct deposited into our joint checking acct on 4/20/16. Legally she (or I) should be able to keep it as last check. Yet it was snatched out by SSA on 5/10/16. Now SSA wants me to submit form SSA-1724 to TRY to get it reinstated maybe months from now. How can they get away with this? Do I have any recourse? Any free consumer or legal agency to turn to for assistance? Please advise?
Social Security may pay a family benefits far in excess of amounts they may have paid in. For this reason, it is not like a personal savings account, but more like an insurance plan - also known as OASI (Old Age and Survivors' Insurance). Sounds like it was a help for your family, like so many others - just when they need it most!
If on her own work record..then the check for the previous month would be payable. If her checks was a widows benefit from her husband work record then that check is not awarded.
Hope this helps
I would start first with the local Social Security office and point out the mistake. If for some reason that is not successful, I would urge you to contact your Congressional Representative's local office. This is exactly what the case workers on staff are for. They have a relationship with Social Security and should be able to "fix" it. Let us know what happens!