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Office of the General Counsel
Date: [xxx]
Matter of: [xxx]
File Number: S000877
309/242
[agency]
Re: Estate of [xxx]
We have considered the claim of [xxx] as Administrator of the
Estate of [xxx] for the remaining unnegotiated benefits checks of
[xxx], deceased. We have determined that the amount at issue should
be paid to the Estate of [xxx]. Pursuant to section 211 of Public
Law 104-53 of November 19, 1995, Mr. [xxx]s claim was transferred
from the General Accounting Office to the Office of Personnel
Management.
The record shows that[xxx] was the widow of veteran [xxx]. Mrs.
[xxx] died on January 27, 1997, she was survived by a nephew,
[xxx]. On February 7, 1997, the [xxx] County Surrogate Court issued
Letters Testamentary to[xxx] as the executor of the estate of[xxx].
Mr.[xxx] returned to your agency fifteen veterans spouses benefits
checks totaling $13,258.00 that had been issued to Mrs. [xxx], but
had not been negotiated before her death.
A claim for that amount has been received from Mr.[xxx], as
Administrator of the decedents estate. Your agency paid $4,667.00
to the estate for the funeral expenses and submitted to our Office
the matter of disposition of the remaining $8,591.00.
Title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.), section 5122, states in
part that a check received by a payee in payment of accrued
benefits shall, if the payee died on or after the last day of the
period covered by the check, be returned to the issuing office and
canceled, unless negotiated by the payee or duly appointed
representative of the payees estate.
The present record before us shows that[xxx] has been duly
appointed to represent the estate of[xxx], deceased, under the laws
of New Jersey. Accordingly, the decedents remaining $8,591.00 in
unpaid veterans benefits should be paid to Mr.[xxx]as Administrator
of the Estate of[xxx], if otherwise correct.
We are returning the file on this claim for action per our
determination. Mr.[xxx] is being advised of our determination by a
copy of this letter.
Sincerely,
Joann Charleston
Adjudicator
Enclosure
cc: xxx
cc: xxx