Why won't SSA (directexpress?) release my deceased mom's funds after getting our information?

Her last check was likely returned, so a disbursement is needed. This would be paid first to a surviving spouse. If no spouse, it is paid to any “eligible” children (minor or disabled). If none exist, then the monies are split among any adult children (and they WOULD ask for your SSN). Only if there are no spouse or children would it go to the legal executor of her estate. Enough time has elapsed that I would follow-up with SSA. If you have difficulty getting answers from SSA, call your local Federal Congressman and let them follow up with SSA (this will cause your issue to become a priority item).
Note: there are other circumstances that would have caused an underpayment on your mom’s account. Perhaps she filed an application that was not yet processed?-a former spouse died, she filed but then died. Perhaps a nursing home was required to return some funds? Perhaps an error in her payment amount or a recomputation due to some recent earnings? The name of the form that your sister filed was a SSA-1724.

What money would SS hold? None that I can think of. These Nigerians don't know how SS works I guess.

Scam, fraud, phishing.

social Security would not divide between children. They send any monies to Probate or estate account to be distributed.

Here's a good overview of what to do:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/12/08/what-to-do-when-you-fall-for-a-social-security-scam-or-ransomware.html

I think it's possible that they've responded to a phishing email.

Check your credit reports and freeze your credit with all 3 bureaus.

Call your sister and ask her to tell you honestly if she thinks perhaps she responded to a fraudulent email and share with het about what steps to take.

She she report this to SSA.

I would think that if your sister provided Direct express with all the necessary paperwork (i.e., POA, Certified Death Certificate, The Last Will, etc), that there shouldn't be an issue releasing the funds, IF the funds were there prior to your mother's passing. If, for example, she received her benefits every month on the 6th, but she passed on the 4th and thus the funds were deposited after she passed, there might be an issue as to who has rightful ownership of them.

Unless you are the designated executor of the will, with a certified death certificate, and a copy of the filed Will, you are unable to secure any information about the funds. Have you checked with your brother and your aunt? Who is handling this - your sister? Can you get copies of the correspondence she received concerning the situation?

How did Direct Express contact your family member saying "they" need your ssn? If it was by email you should be wary of a phishing expedition. I would call them on the number they list on their website, not from any email or voicemail you have received.

I hate to ask, but are you sure it’s legitimate? Could it have been a phishing attempt (scam) for you to send your SSN and address?

Thanks Geaton

This is how my nephew gets his SS payments. He uses it like a credit card. There can't be too much money on it unless Mom never used her SS to live. I don't see how Direct Express would be able to keep it. If anything, if not claimed within a certain time, it goes back to Social Security. To have this debit card the money is in a bank acct. As such, when Mom died the money becomes part of her estate. The Executor of her estate would need to prove he has the right to handle that acct by sending a "short certificate" he gets from Probate and maybe a death certificate. I would think that once he proves that the Bank will cut a check to Moms estate.

Just my opinion.

"The Direct Express® Debit Mastercard® card is a way to get your federal benefits, even if you do not have a bank account."

(source: https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/directexpress)

Just putting this out there for those who aren't familiar with this.