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Archiver > TMG > 2001-07 > 0994030023


From: Lee Hoffman <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] OT SSDI
Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2001 19:27:03 -0400
In-Reply-To: <20010701.084720.-502945.3.dean.scribner@juno.com>


Dean Scribner wrote:
>On Sun, 01 Jul 2001 08:00:06 -0500 "William E. Irwin"
><> writes:
> > Why so you think some people put Grandma in the basement when she
> > dies? It is because the undertaker must, by law, report her Social
>Security
> > number and the checks would stop.
>
>
>Since I watched the undertaker bury my mother, I presume he did report
>her Social Security number, and in fact, the checks did stop.
>Nevertheless, she is not listed in the SSDI, and I have her original
>Social Security card in my possession.

But did the SSA pay any _death_benefits_ ? That is one of the main
criteria for being on the SSDI. The fact that someone died or that
_they_ were paid or not paid benefits (e.g., monthly SS check) has no
bearing on whether their name is listed on the SSDI. My mother is listed
there (the SSA paid a burial benefit) but my father is not (no death
benefit paid). Both received SS checks each month until their
deaths. None of my grandparents received death benefits, but all four did
receive monthly SS checks for seven years (they were all 79 when they died
as was my mother -- hmm!? does that tell me something? <g>).

As for reporting, banks are required to send the checks back if the person
has died. Most funeral homes will help the family (if any) apply for death
benefits (if any) from the SSA. But not all persons (whether or not
drawing monthly checks) are eligible for the death benefit. My
mother-in-law was not paid a death benefit (and is not on the SSDI), but my
father-in-law is listed (a death benefit was paid).

----------
Lee Hoffman/KY
E-mail:
TMG Tips: <http://www.tmgtips.com>;
My website: <http://www.tmgtips.com/lhoffman>;
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A user of the best genealogy program, The Master Genealogist (TMG)

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