Ask Larry

Do I Need To Report My Mother's Death To Social Security?

I've been on SSDI for over 25 years for a mental condition. I receive 2 checks, 1 Disability check and 1 Survivors check. I lived with my Mother for all this time in her house. She died in March. Do I have to report her death to social security? I have to move soon. Do I need to report to social security when I move? Will the amounts of the checks I receive be the same or less when I move? Thanks.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

You'd only need to report your mother's death to Social Security if she was receiving benefits from them. Moving to a different residence would have no effect on your Social Security benefit rates. However, if you're receiving disabled adult child's (DAC) benefits and if your mother was insured for Social Security benefits based on her earnings history, then you may qualify for higher DAC benefits based on her record.

You say that you're already receiving survivor checks so I'm assuming those payments must be based on your deceased father's Social Security record. If so, you could only qualify for DAC benefits on your mother's account if her primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than your father's PIA. Social Security should be able to tell you whether or not it would be advantageous for you to apply for benefits on your mother's record.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Apr 3 2020 - 10:21am
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