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yurdreamwoman Asked November 2018

Both my parents are in a facility, but my father just passed. What happens now in regards to how my mother's care is paid for?

My parents have social security and my father was retired military. Do I need to contact the military and social security about his passing and will his monthly income he was receiving be transferred automatically to my mother for her care? I am lost here, everything I encounter is a learning experience as I have never been through this. I want to make certain I don't assume anything or count on the facility to make certain the coverage & money continues for my mother.

JoAnn29 Apr 2019
Please note post is from 2018

mmcmahon12000 Apr 2019
No, your Dad's income will not transfer to your Mom, only a portion of it might. You will need to notify both Social Security and the military about your father's death. Then you'll need to talk with an attorney who specializes in Social Security and specifically Veteran's benefits. They will help you navigate through this mess.

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pargirl Mar 2019
My dad's va benefits have always gone into his acct. Never to a facilities. The facility would not contact va. After my mom passed I contacted them to let them know and my dad's pension was adjusted. Then we he needed more care I contacted va again and they readjusted his pension. I would never sign anything over to nursing home or individual. Good luck and God Bless

OldSailor Nov 2018
As for his military pension, it dies when he does. Unless he had signed up for what is called SBP (Survivors Benefit Plan).
You can call 1-800-321-1080 or 1-(216)-522-5955. these are the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.
A funeral director should be able to help with the military funeral if desired.
She may also need to have changes made to her military dependents ID card to register as a widow and I would also contact the VA.

yurdreamwoman Nov 2018
thank you

JoAnn29 Nov 2018
Right, don't assume anything. I would not count on the facility to do anything. The funeral director should have notified SS of Dads passing but since Mom survives him you may want to go to ur local SS office because Moms SS needs to be adjusted. His Military pension is another thing. They may need his death certificate which the NH doesn't have. Don't be surprised if Mom is not entitled to his pension. I read one time that for spouse to receive a pension, they had to pay into a special account.

Then you'll need to talk to the NH to make adjustments in the cost of her care.
Bearly Jan 2019
This is not been mentioned yet, but under some circumstances the wife (married) is entitled to one-half of the husbands Social Security benefit.

In general, it should be advantageous if the 1/2 of the husbands benefit is more than the wife's benefit, and have been married for ten or more years.

This is not a death benefit, but a routine benefit available to all married spouses. My wife had no USA income, nor any French income, either.
(If she had any French income, the USA benefit would have been reduced by some amount.)
gladimhere Nov 2018
Contact the facility and ask what needs to be done. Contact the Veterans Administration. The facility has probably already notified VA.

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