Social Security Wont Release Survivors Check

[G0nz0]

My dad died Oct 21 2008 he was receiving Social Security $1264 the third of every month. I reported his death and he was not issued a check for Nov. My mom applied for survivors benefits on his record on Oct 31.She received her letter Friday Nov 21 saying she would receive $1032 a month beginning the second Wednesday of each month and would receive her first check for $1032 around the 14 of Nov. The check went to bank on direct deposit but the bank wont release her check because our local ssa office says it's my dads check.I call the ssa office and explained to them the problem and was told that it was my moms check and that my dad was never issued a check for Nov. We took the letter my mom got from ssa to the bank and they still will not release her check because our locale ssa office is telling them not to.Can someone please help with this problem? When I spoke to our locale ssa office the person said my dad always received his check the second Wednesday of each month.I told the person that no he did not that he always got his check on the third and that he could look at the bank records if he wanted.The person was very rude and said that my mom was confused about what was going on.All I know is my mom needs her check to pay bills and that we were both told from a different ssa office that the check in the bank was/is my moms.How can get the bank/locale ssa office to release her check?

[Buttons2]

Well I'm sure not an expert on these matters but I suggest she talk with the bank manager,since the money has been sent it's no longer an SSA issue right? The bank is holding this check......make them give it up & I'd also consider changing banks!

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[moose53]

Call Social Security office again first thing Monday morning and ask to speak with a supervisor. Have the supervisor communicate with the bank.

If that doesn't work immediately, you call the bank and ask them what kind of proof they're looking for. The bank statements that your Mom and Dad got from the bank will show what day your Dad's check was normally deposited.

You should be able to get a letter faxed from Social Security to the bank to prove that this is survivor's benefits rather than your Dad's regular monthly check.

If everyone continues to give you the runaround, I'd get in touch with my senator or represenative and have them make a phone call.

This shouldn't take more than a day or two to straighten out. Don't let any one of them give you any more of a runaround. Make sure when you make any phone calls that you get the person's full name and title.

This is just another example of government/business stupidity making it harder than it has to be.

Oh, another suggestion: if you or one of your siblings makes the phone calls (rather than your Mom), this will probably get straightened out faster. For some reason, elderly people tend to get disrespected and ignored a lot on the telephone.

Good luck. Sorry about your Dad. Hugs.

Barb

[G0nz0]

Thanks so much for all the advice...this has been so hard on my mom that she's just about ready to give up. As far getting them to fax anything the ssa office.. I spoke with our locale office Thursday and was told that they DO NOT fax anything from their office.I thought that was crazy they have to fax things it's an office right??? My mom called our state rep Friday and spoke with a very nice man. She has to call him back in the morning so maybe we can get this mess straighten out.Again thanks for listen and the very fast replies.

[heythere]

is the check in HIS name?:confused:

[Buttons2]

I forgot to say I'm sorry about your dad being gone. I sure hope it all gets straightened out ASAP.And since your mom might need help in the future with other issues I suggest you contact your local Area Agency on Aging for info & getting into a system that knows all the latest rules,etc. The more support she has the better.