Social Security benefits are not paid for the month in which an individual dies. Example: An individual receives a Social Security check in June for the month of May, and dies after the receipt of that payment. The individual would be entitled to the check received in June (May's payment) because the individual lived throughout the month of May. However, the check issued in July (for the month of June) would have to be returned to Social Security because the individual did not live throughout the month of June.