Money rights most people never hear about
These rights are written into federal law and rules, but they're easy to miss when you're dealing with a hospital, a collector or a funeral home. Each one links to the official source, so you can show it to anyone who says otherwise.
Nonprofit hospitals must offer financial help
Tax-exempt hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy for emergency and medically necessary care, post it online, and give you a free paper copy. You generally have at least 240 days from the first bill after you leave to apply, and while a complete application is reviewed, the hospital must pause collection steps like credit reporting, liens and wage garnishment.
What to do: Ask the billing office for the financial assistance application and its plain-language summary, even if you've already been billed.
Family usually doesn't owe a loved one's debts
Debts are paid from what the person left behind. Family members generally aren't responsible unless they co-signed, shared the account, or a state law makes a surviving spouse responsible. A debt collector may not say or hint that you must pay from your own money, and you can tell a collector to stop contacting you.
What to do: Don't pay a relative's debt from your own money until you know who owes it. Send creditors to the executor.
Inheriting a home gives you rights with the mortgage company
If you may have inherited a home with a mortgage, write to the mortgage company. It must answer with a written list of the documents it needs to confirm you, plus a phone number for help. Once you're confirmed, it must treat you like a borrower.
What to do: Write to the mortgage company, name the borrower who died, and include the loan number if you have it.
Funeral homes have to show you their prices
Under the FTC's Funeral Rule you can get prices over the phone, funeral homes must give you written price lists and an itemized statement of what you chose, and you can supply your own casket or urn.
What to do: Call at least two funeral homes and compare. The FTC suggests it.
Claiming unclaimed money is always free
States hold unclaimed money for owners and heirs and never charge to search or claim it. Paid finders are never required.
What to do: Search every state you or your family lived in, on the official sites.
An ex-spouse can get Social Security survivor benefits
If you were married at least 10 years, you may get survivor benefits on a former spouse's record, as early as age 60 (50 if you have a disability), as long as you didn't remarry before 60. A spouse or child may also get a one-time $255 payment if they apply within 2 years.
What to do: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Survivor benefits can't be applied for online.
Your credit reports are free every week
Equifax, Experian and TransUnion each give you a free credit report every week at AnnualCreditReport.com. The program is now permanent.
What to do: Use only AnnualCreditReport.com. Other sites may charge you or be fake.
Veterans' families get burial benefits at no cost
For an eligible Veteran: a government headstone or marker at no charge, a burial flag at no cost, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and burial in a VA national cemetery with the gravesite, opening and closing, and perpetual care at no cost to the family.
What to do: Ask the funeral home to help, or apply through the VA. Have the DD214 discharge papers ready.
Hospice costs nothing on Medicare
Medicare covers hospice care from a Medicare-approved provider, and you pay nothing for the hospice care itself. Copays are small: up to $5 per prescription for comfort care and 5% for inpatient respite care.
What to do: Ask the doctor about hospice early. Starting sooner can mean months more support.
You can take leave to care for family and keep your job
The Family and Medical Leave Act gives eligible workers up to 12 weeks a year of unpaid, job-protected leave to care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition.
What to do: Ask HR about FMLA. You usually need a year on the job at an employer with 50 or more workers nearby.
A loved one's last tax refund can still be claimed
If they were owed a refund, the surviving spouse or representative files the final return. A representative who wasn't appointed by a court attaches IRS Form 1310 to claim the refund.
What to do: File by the usual deadline, normally April 15 of the year after the death.
The FAFSA is always free
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid never costs anything to fill out or submit, and nobody else should fill it out for you or ask for your FSA ID.
What to do: Fill it out yourself on StudentAid.gov.
General information, not legal advice. Some rights depend on your state or situation, and the official sources have the final word. Checked November 10, 2026.