How long do Social Security disability payments continue after someone dies?

Social Security disability payments will usually stop when the person they are paying benefits to passes away. Generally, any payments made for the month of the death or later will be returned to the Social Security Administration. This applies to both the disabled individual and any dependents receiving survivor benefits. The only time Social Security disability payments might continue after death is if the beneficiary was receiving payments for two months prior to their death. In this case, the payments may be allowed to continue for a period of up to two months beyond their death. This is because Social Security disability payments are always made in arrears, meaning they are for benefits already earned. However, sometimes the Social Security Administration will decide that there are other reasons why the payment should continue. For example, if the deceased individual had a surviving spouse with dependent children, or if the deceased individual was receiving disability payments as a minor, the Social Security Administration may decide to continue payments. Overall, it is important to remember that Social Security disability payments will usually end upon death. Social Security disability payments are usually only continued under special circumstances, in which case a survivor or the family of the deceased will need to contact the Social Security Administration to learn more.

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