SSA-1724-F4: Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of a Deceased Beneficiary
Form SSA-1724-F4 is how family members or an estate representative claim Social Security money that was still owed to a beneficiary who died, such as a check for the month of death or an underpayment on the record.
This is the genuine SSA PDF, unmodified. Source: SSA official page.
What is SSA-1724-F4?
SSA-1724-F4, Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of a Deceased Beneficiary, is used when Social Security owed money to a person who died before receiving it. That can include a benefit payment that was due but not cashed or an underpayment discovered on the deceased person's record. The form identifies the deceased beneficiary and collects information about the surviving spouse, children, and parents, since federal law sets the order of relatives who can receive the money.
The form asks who survived the beneficiary and where they live, because SSA distributes the underpayment in a priority order: generally a surviving spouse who was living with the beneficiary or entitled on the same record, then children, then parents, and then the legal representative of the estate. You do not need to calculate the amount owed; SSA determines that from its records.
Who files SSA-1724-F4?
- A surviving spouse of a Social Security beneficiary who died with benefits still owed
- Children or parents of the deceased beneficiary, when there is no surviving spouse with higher priority
- The legal representative of the deceased person's estate
- Anyone who received a notice from SSA that money may be due on a deceased person's record
How to fill out SSA-1724-F4
- Enter the deceased beneficiary's name, Social Security number, and date of death.
- List the surviving spouse, children, and parents as the form requests, including addresses, so SSA can apply the payment priority rules.
- Complete the section that applies to your relationship to the deceased, and attach appointment papers if you are the legal representative of the estate.
- Sign and date the form.
- Return it to your local Social Security office or the address on the notice you received; you can find your office at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
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Frequently asked questions
Who gets the money if several relatives survive?
Federal law sets the order. In general a surviving spouse who lived with the beneficiary or was entitled on the same record comes first, then children, then parents, then the legal representative of the estate. If several people share the same priority, the amount is split among them.
Is this the same as the lump-sum death payment?
No. The lump-sum death payment is a separate one-time payment to an eligible spouse or child, usually claimed through the survivor benefit process. SSA-1724 is for benefit money that was already due to the deceased person but never paid. You may be able to receive both.
Do I need to return a check made out to the person who died?
Yes. A benefit check received for the month of death or later must be returned. Filing SSA-1724 is how an eligible survivor then claims any amounts that were properly due.