My in-laws have their social security checks direct deposited in their checking account (this is a joint account). My mother-in-law passed away three weeks ago. Social security has been notified of her death by the funeral home and myself. When I spoke with the social security office they said they would issue a order of reclamation to the treasury departmant for her benefits.
Her payment was still deposited in their account. How long does it usually take for the reclamation to happen? My father in law is still using the account, but there is plenty of money to cover any refunds to social security.

Hello N

When my mother in law passed away a few years ago, I took my father in law to the bank along with the death certificate and the bank took care of this for him and when the money was given back to social security the bank send him a letter with a copy of what was sent back to social security. I don't know how it is now and it just may have been a courtsey from the bank since they had their accounts there for 40 some years.
I know that things with social security change and it may be something different now. Maybe some one with a little more knowledge can better answer your
Question

Yes, when my dad died, the bank itself when they were notified of the death, sent the money back automatically.

If they were alive when the check was deposited, it stays, if they were dead when it was depoisted it goes back