The loved ones of a deceased member of the family have to deal with the various financial and legal affairs of that person apart from claiming any Social Security payments that he or she may have been entitled to as a deceased beneficiary. That is normally the most important part of helping the surviving family members settle in the face of burial expenses and other related costs. Due steps have to be taken and forms completed before these amounts may be released, one of which is Form SSA-1724-F4.
What is Form SSA-1724-F4?
This is the SSA-1724-F4 form, entitled ‘Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of a Deceased Social Security Recipient,’ and for the relatives or legal representatives of a deceased beneficiary, this is for claiming amounts due. This way, one could tell if someone had the right to be paid the benefits that the deceased would be getting by way of death.
Who Needs Form SSA-1724-F4?
Form SSA-1724-F4 may only be applied for by primary relatives by law, such as husband or wife, children, or parents of the deceased. This form may also be filed by the legal representative of the estate of the deceased if he or she possesses the proper documentation—the letter of appointment.
What Information Is Required on Form SSA-1724-F4?
To submit Form SSA-1724-F4, the claimant is to provide certain personal details, both theirs and the dead person’s. Such information includes the name and Social Security number as well as the date of death and the state’s residence of the deceased. The claimant must also divulge his information, including the relationship with the deceased.
The form has several parts that require specific details, including:
- Part 1: Information about the deceased (name, Social Security number, date of death, etc.)
- Part 2: Information about the claimant (name and relationship to the deceased)
- Part 3: Details about the surviving spouse, if applicable
- Part 4: Information about living children or dependents
- Part 6: Information about surviving parents
- Part 7: Details of the legal representative, if applicable
- Part 8: Signatures and account information
What Has Changed in the SSA-1724 Form?
The SSA-1724 form has undergone several revisions during the years in order to facilitate the disposition of claims. While the format and specific instructions will change with time, the reason for the form will continue to be the same: for family members or legal representatives of the deceased to claim Social Security benefits owed to the deceased.
When Should You File Form SSA-1724-F4?
It is important to file Form SSA-1724-F4 as soon as possible after the death of the Social Security beneficiary. The quicker the form is submitted, the faster the Social Security Administration (SSA) can process the claim and release any eligible payments. There is no official deadline, but timely filing is essential to avoid delays.
What Are the Social Security Death Benefits for 2024?
Much like how they determine the primary insurance amount (PIA) for general benefits, Social Security death benefits will be calculated using the same formula in determining the benefit for death in 2024. Several bend points in the PIA formula are applied to calculate the maximum family benefit, which is $1,174 and $7,078 in the year 2024. The family benefit is directed to portions based on these bend points, which, depending on the income of the deceased, have different values.
How to Complete the SSA-1724-F4 Form
While the SSA-1724-F4 form may seem long, it’s quite simple to fill out. It’s divided into several parts, including:
- Information about the deceased (name, SSN, date of death)
- Information about the claimant (name and relationship)
- Information about the surviving spouse (if applicable)
- Information about children and dependents
- Details about the legal representative (if applicable)
Once completed, the form should be signed and dated by the claimant. It is also important to provide a valid phone number and mailing address, as well as account information for payment processing.
Read more: Social Security Update: In 1 day the SSI direct payment of $1,415 will be out for the month of December.
Where to Submit Form SSA-1724-F4
Once the form is filled out, it should be submitted to the local Social Security office. It’s important to double-check that all required information is accurate to avoid delays. You can submit the form electronically through services like PDF Filler, which allows you to fill out and send the form online. Once completed, the form can be shared via email, text, or even fax.
Checking the Status of Your SSA-1724-F4 Claim
After submitting the form, you can track the status of your claim by calling the SSA’s toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, the SSA offers a TTY number: 1-800-325-0778.
Final thaughts
Claiming Social Security benefits for a deceased family member can be a complex process, but Form SSA-1724-F4 helps streamline the procedure. By gathering the necessary information and completing the form as soon as possible, surviving family members or estate representatives can ensure that any benefits owed to the deceased are properly claimed.
