SSA-1724-F4: Claim For Amounts Due In The Case Of Deceased Beneficiary

• What it is: Form SSA-1724-F4, “Claim For Amounts Due In The Case Of Deceased Beneficiary,” is used to claim Social Security payments that were due to a beneficiary at the time of their death but had not yet been paid.
• Who files it: The surviving spouse, child, parent, or legal representative of the deceased person’s estate files this form. The SSA has a specific order of priority for who can claim the funds.
• When it’s needed: You need this form if the deceased beneficiary was entitled to a Social Security benefit or Medicare premium refund that was not paid before their death. It does not apply to the one-time lump-sum death payment.
• How to file: You must complete the paper form and submit it by mail or in person to your local Social Security office. You cannot file this specific form online.

Dealing with the financial affairs of a loved one after they’ve passed away is a challenging responsibility. Amidst the grief and administrative tasks, you may discover that the deceased was due a final Social Security payment. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a specific process for this situation, centered around Form SSA-1724-F4.

This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to help you understand, complete, and file Form SSA-1724-F4 correctly.

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What is Form SSA-1724-F4?

Form SSA-1724-F4 is a legal document used by the Social Security Administration to pay out any unpaid Social Security benefits to the eligible surviving family members or the legal representative of a deceased beneficiary. This is often referred to as an “underpayment.”

An underpayment can occur if the person’s death is reported before the final month’s benefit is deposited into their bank account. Since Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due, a person who lived through all of May is entitled to May’s benefit, which is paid in June. If they pass away in early June before that payment arrives, that money is considered an underpayment and can be claimed by an eligible survivor.

Who needs Form SSA-1724-F4?

You need to complete Form SSA-1724-F4 if you are the eligible survivor of a deceased individual who was receiving Social Security benefits. The SSA has established a strict order of priority to determine who can receive these unpaid benefits. The payment will be made to the first person or group of people in the following order:

Order of priority for payment

1. Surviving spouse: The widow or widower who was either living in the same household as the deceased at the time of death or was entitled to benefits on the same record for the month of death.
2. Surviving children: If there is no eligible surviving spouse, the deceased person’s children who were entitled to monthly benefits on the same record as the deceased for the month of death. The payment is divided equally among them.
3. Dependent parents: If there is no spouse or child, the payment goes to the parent or parents who were entitled to monthly benefits on the same record.
4. Surviving spouse (not meeting above criteria): A surviving spouse who does not meet the criteria in the first point.
5. Children (not meeting above criteria): The deceased person’s children who do not meet the criteria in the second point.
6. Dependent parents (not meeting above criteria): The deceased person’s parents who do not meet the criteria in the third point.
7. Legal representative of the estate: If none of the above categories apply, the unpaid benefits will be paid to the legal representative of the deceased person’s estate. You must provide the SSA with a copy of your appointment letters.

When do you need the Form SSA-1724-F4?

You should use this form specifically to claim unpaid benefits due to a deceased beneficiary. This is different from applying for ongoing survivor benefits.

Common scenarios where this form is necessary include:

• Uncashed checks: The deceased received paper checks for their benefits, but did not cash the last one before their death.
• Timing of death and direct deposit: The beneficiary passed away after becoming entitled to a monthly payment but before the payment was made by direct deposit. If the financial institution is notified of the death, it must return any federal payments received after the date of death. The unpaid amount can then be claimed.
• Medicare premium refunds: If the deceased person had Medicare premiums deducted from their Social Security payments, they may be due a refund for any premiums paid for months after their death. Form SSA-1724-F4 is also used to claim this Medicare premium refund.

Form SSA-1724-F4 revision: what has changed?

The Social Security Administration periodically updates its forms to improve clarity and ensure compliance with current regulations. The most recent version of Form SSA-1724-F4 is designed to be easier to understand and fill out.

While major functional changes are rare, the SSA may adjust wording, formatting, or instructions. It is crucial to always use the latest version of the form to avoid processing delays. You can find the latest version on the official SSA website or get it from pdfFiller, which keeps its library of government forms up to date. The current OMB approval number and expiration date are typically listed in the corner of the form.

What is the Social Security death benefit for 2025?

It’s common to confuse the final payment claimed with Form SSA-1724-F4 with the Social Security Lump-Sum Death Payment. However, these are two separate and distinct benefits. Understanding the difference is key to managing a deceased relative’s affairs correctly.

The Lump-Sum Death Payment is a one-time payment of $255. This amount is fixed by law and has not changed for many decades, as it is not subject to annual cost-of-living adjustments.

This payment is generally made to the surviving spouse if they were living in the same household with the deceased at the time of death. If there is no eligible spouse, the payment may go to a child who was eligible for benefits on the deceased person’s record in the month of death.

It is crucial to understand that Form SSA-1724-F4 is not used to claim this $255 payment. That form is exclusively for claiming any regular monthly Social Security benefits that were due to the deceased but had not been paid before they passed away.

How to fill out Form SSA-1724-F4: A step-by-step guide

This form must be completed by following a specific order of priority. You should only fill out the first section that applies to your relationship with the deceased.

Step 1: Provide the deceased’s information. Begin by entering the deceased beneficiary’s full name and Social Security Number at the top of the form. If they received benefits on another person’s record, you must also provide that person’s name.

Step 2: Identify yourself as the claimant. Fill in the deceased’s date and state of death. Then, print your name and your relationship to the person who has passed away (e.g., Widow, Son, etc.).

Step 3: Complete the first applicable next-of-kin section. The form prioritizes who can claim the funds. Start with the first section and only proceed to the next if the prior category does not apply.

• Surviving widow(er): This is the first priority. If you are the surviving spouse who lived with the deceased, you can often skip the other sections and sign the form.
• Living children: If there is no eligible spouse, the deceased’s living children should be listed.
• Living parents: If there are no eligible children, the deceased’s living parents may file a claim.
• Legal representative: If no relatives in the categories above exist, the legal representative of the estate can file. You must include a certified copy of your letters of appointment.

Step 4: Sign the form and provide payment details. To complete the process, sign, date, and enter your contact information. You can provide your financial institution’s routing and account numbers for a direct deposit payment. Witnesses are only needed if the application is signed with a mark (X).

How to complete and file Form SSA-1724-F4 with pdfFiller

While the SSA requires a paper submission for this form, you can avoid the hassle of printing and filling it out by hand. pdfFiller simplifies the process, ensuring your completed form is legible, professional, and error-free.

1.Find the form in pdfFiller: Open the pdfFiller library and search for “SSA-1724-F4.” You’ll access the most current, fillable version of the form.

You can find the latest version of Form SSA-1724-F4 directly within pdfFiller by navigating to ‘Add new’ and searching the extensive library of Forms & Applications.

2. Type directly onto the form: Click on any field to begin typing. pdfFiller’s intuitive editor allows you to enter all the required information, such as the deceased person’s record, your personal information, and dates. This eliminates any worries about messy handwriting causing delays.

pdfFiller’s editor allows you to click on any field and start typing, making it simple to enter all required information accurately and legibly.

3. Check for completeness: Easily review the document on your screen to make sure you have answered every required question. You can add checkmarks to boxes with a single click.

4. Sign securely: Use pdfFiller’s legally binding eSignature tool to sign the completed form. You can type, draw, or upload a signature image. Learn more about how to sign PDFs on any device.

Once the form is complete, you can create a legally binding eSignature by drawing, typing, or uploading a signature image, finalizing your claim securely from your device.

5. Print and mail: Once you are finished, you can save the completed form as a PDF to your computer. Print a high-quality copy that is ready to be mailed to your local SSA office.

When your form is complete, you can download a final copy as a PDF for your records or select ‘Print’ to get a high-quality paper version ready for mailing to the Social Security office.

Using a secure platform like pdfFiller for preparing government documents ensures you have a clean digital copy for your records, which is essential when managing a deceased person’s estate. Explore how our tools can help you manage your secure government document workflows.

When is Form SSA-1724-F4 due?

There is no strict deadline for filing Form SSA-1724-F4. However, it is highly recommended that you file the claim as soon as possible after the person’s death. Prompt filing helps ensure that all financial matters related to the deceased person’s estate are settled in a timely manner and reduces the risk of misplaced records or other complications.

How to file the SSA-1724-F4 form?

Unlike many other Social Security services, Form SSA-1724-F4 cannot be submitted online. You must submit the completed paper form in one of two ways:

1. By mail: Mail the completed and signed form to your local Social Security office.
2. In person: Take the completed form to your local Social Security office. This can be a good option if you have questions or need to provide supporting documents.

Where to send Form SSA-1724-F4?

You should always send the completed form to your nearest local Social Security office. Do not send it to the SSA’s national headquarters. You can find the address of the office that serves your area by using the Social Security Office Locator on the official SSA website. Entering your postal code will provide you with the correct address, phone number, and office hours.

How do I check the status of my Social Security claim 1724?

After you submit the form, processing times can vary. To check the status of your claim for amounts due, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration directly.

The best way to do this is by calling your local SSA office or the SSA’s national toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. When you call, have the deceased person’s Social Security number and your own information ready. This will help the representative locate your claim file and provide an update.

Final thoughts

Managing the final affairs of a loved one is never easy, but understanding the process can relieve some of the stress. Form SSA-1724-F4 is the key to ensuring any unpaid Social Security benefits are rightfully paid to the surviving family. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently complete and submit the form.

Remember to use the latest version of the form, fill it out completely, and submit it to your local SSA office. For a seamless and error-free experience, a digital tool can make all the difference.

Simplify your paperwork during a difficult time. With pdfFiller, you can easily fill, sign, and manage important forms like the SSA-1724-F4 from a single, secure platform. Start your free trial of pdfFiller today.

Glossary

• Beneficiary: An individual who is entitled to receive payments from Social Security, either through their own work history (retirement, disability) or through a family member’s record (survivor, dependent).
• Deceased Beneficiary: A person who was receiving Social Security benefits at the time of their death.
• Estate: The total property, assets, and debts that a person owned at the time of their death. A legal representative (executor or administrator) is appointed to manage the estate.
• Legal Representative: A person who is legally authorized by a court to manage the estate of a deceased person. This person has the authority to act on behalf of the estate.
• Underpayment: A Social Security benefit or payment that was due to a beneficiary but was not paid to them before their death. This is the amount that can be claimed using Form SSA-1724-F4.