Part 2 of 3
SECTION 3: GENERIC CHECKLIST OF THE MANY POSSIBLE AGENCIES YOUR FAMILY MUST DEAL WITH
• DFAS (DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE): Upon notification of death, DFAS will automatically revoke the last payment deposited to your account. You must then wait for DFAS to send paperwork to submit your request for the correct pro-rated amount of payment. Make sure your family has adequate funds to cover this unexpected withdrawal. 1-800-321-1080
• SOCIAL SECURITY: Caution: only a spouse is entitled to Social security, one time death payment: second spouse to pass or family member is NOT. Hint: Social Security has evening hours phone service, which can shorten your time on hold. Social security will calculate if surviving spouse is eligible for benefits based on their social security stipend, or, their spouse’s at a higher rate.
NOTE AND CAUTION: ABSOLUTELY NO SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS ARE PAID IN THE MONTH OF DEATH. PAYMENT WILL NOT BE PRO-RATED.
• VA DISABILITY PAY: WHEN A VETERAN IS RECEIVING VA COMPENSATION, THE SURVIVING SPOUSE IS ENTITLED TO THE ENTIRE LAST MONTH PAY. Note: YOU must ensure the VA knows you are a surviving spouse to receive this payment.
• SPOUSE DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION (DIC) BENEFIT: Widows of service members who died in the line of duty or succumbed to service-related illnesses may apply for VA dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC). This benefit is tax free. CAUTION: YOU HAVE ONLY ONE YEAR TO APPLY OR YOU FORFEIT. Do not assume that you must be impoverished to qualify for DIC. WWW.VA.GOV/DISABILITY/DEPENDENCY-INDEMNITY-COMPENSATION/
• Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS): UPDATE YOUR MILITARY ID CARD: This is the last ID card you will need: it is indefinite. The office will concurrently review all your data/status/etc., including TRI-CARE.
• TRI-CARE: Check to verify continued TRI-CARE coverage. (DEERS office can help).
• CEDAR COUNTY
• VEHICLE TITLE: If your car titles have a single owner, consider adding a second name now to avoid paperwork upon your death. Missouri has a Transfer On Death (TOD) option.
• PROPERTY REAL ESTATE TAX RELIEF There may be real estate tax relief in Missouri based on the veteran’s age, income, property size and disability rating among other things. Contact your tax professional or CPA.
• ADDITIONAL DEATH CERTIFICATES. Available from the funeral home or County Health Department. Few institutions require an original death certificate. Copies are usually sufficient.
SECTION 4: PERTINENT DOCUMENTS: Tell your family the location of all personal, pertinent items to settle your estate and allow them to assess status of each. To settle an estate, here is a general listing of documents, accounts, files, etc. that may be needed. Please annotate where each can be found. In advance, consider making all accounts joint tenancy or “pay on death” to avoid possible probate or access delays. Also consider adding a second owner (if you are the sole owner) on your house title or consider the appropriateness of a beneficiary deed. The county clerk’s office can assist you with this in advance. Consider making all accounts joint tenancy or ‘pay on death’.
• Computer passwords and usernames.
• Home safes and combos.
• Files: banks, credit cards, investment accounts, insurance policies, retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, savings bonds, American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association, wills, power of attorney, family trust, tax returns, vehicle titles, doctors and medical records.
• Listing of major property
DISTRIBUTION OF PERSONAL ITEMS Provide last wishes regarding belongings to loved ones and/or family friends and/or charities. NOTE! ENSURE THIS DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH ANY INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN YOUR WILL, IF APPLICABLE.
SUGGEST THESE FILES BE KEPT IN A SINGLE LOCATION FOR EASY ACCESS BY FAMILY.
Danny Leo Green,
Coroner, Cedar County
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