What happens if a claimant dies while her SSI claim for disability benefits is still pending?  

ssi_deathAs with most law related questions the answer is maybe. Unfortunately, the rules for SSI claims are quite different from SSDI claims in situations where the claimant dies before a ruling is made on their application for benefits.  The rules are as follows.

Benefits may be paid to the surviving spouse if the surviving spouse was living at the time of death or within six months proceeding the month of death.

OR

Benefits may be paid to the parents of a disabled or blind child who was living with the parent or parents at the time of death or within six months proceeding the month of death.

If one of the above conditions does not apply then SSI benefits dies with the claimant, that is, no one gets paid SSI benefits.