My mother died on July 4th, and her checking account is still receiving her social security retirement amount, which is a bit over $900. I know I’m supposed to call SS and her bank to notify them of her death, but at the time of her hospital stay, my grants for college started to dry up and I actually had to withdrawal to be her full-time caretaker. I’m not employed, so the grant money that I still have is all I’ll have left for this month’s bills and other amenities if I can’t find work. Have been submitting applications to the few places around here, as well as trying to selling stuff online, but no luck. My money just won’t last long if I can’t find anything. Should I tell my mom’s bank that she’s passed away now, or should I spend her money on some of this month’s bills to stay afloat for now?
My mother just died and I’m not sure if I can keep the lights on without her money.
r/Advice
Comments
I’m really sorry for your loss. Legally, you do need to report her passing using the money after could lead to issues. Try reaching out to local aid programs or legal aid for support. You’re not alone.
First, the question is, what are they going to do with the money if you notify them about her passing? Shouldn’t that be part of your inheritance since it was her money and she couldn’t spend it?
If I were you and I had bills that were due very very soon that I knew for a fact, I could not pay I would have to do something with that money. I’m sure your mother would want you to be able to afford food and to keep the lights on. I understand that it isn’t necessarily about what your mother would want, but about if the bank would be upset about it. I’m so sorry for your loss and I hope all of this gets better. I truly hope you can find work.
Spending your mom’s money now is a ticking legal time bomb. Call Social Security and the bank immediately and then hunt down emergency aid to keep afloat.
I’m so sorry for your loss but yeah, you need to report it and seek assistance elsewhere.
I’m no lawyer but it’s fraud if you don’t report her death and spend the money.
If your Mom was alive when the money hit the account you will not have to pay it back. Pull it out and then notify SS and bank with a copy of her death certificate. You may be eligible for a small survivors benefit from SS if you are under a certain age. Speak with SS about it or any death benefit. Did she have a life insurance policy? If so that can help you make it through after burial costs. Contact your school aid office and re-enroll for the next semester… do what you have to with jobs at wherever you can. Finish your degree , you owe that to yourself. See if there is a work study program at the school… sometimes that will let you be able to finish even, if it is slower! I am pushing you to do this in the face of your great loss because I was you! I wish someone older who had knowledge of how these things worked had reached out to me! Chin up, she loved you for your sacrifice, but let’s not make it a huge life cliff you have fallen over! And yes, the bank will fuss that the money should be frozen… my sister did that and it took 8 years to get it released!!
Please don’t cross the line and use that money. Call SS and her bank right away. Take any job(s) you get offers for and start saving every penny you can. Good luck
I’m sorry for you loss.
You must notify the bank she has passed. If your name is on the account, it’s your money to get by on. The funeral home should have automatically notified social security, but you should verify that. It’s fraud to collect social security from a dead person.
My uncle made that mistake and paid a heavy price for it. Social Security wasn’t properly notified of her death, so he kept cashing the checks. When it was discovered, he had to repay the government $30k.
Take any job you can, even if that means McDonald’s, DoorDash or Wal-Mart to get by until you can make a new plan.
It is likely the funeral home already notified social security. And as hard as this is on you, social security will claw back that money so DO NOT SPEND IT!
Is there a church or community aid organization you can turn to? Maybe friends or family?
It’s a federal felony. You are defrauding the government..
It’s considered Social Security fraud and can land you in prison and subject to several fines. Please don’t cash checks.
yeah your going to have to contact ss and then go to the bank to close her account down. If your mom has a will set up an estate account. Try going to a job agency and let them find you a job