Yes, a refund was expected.  I assume you mean 2020 return in what you wrote, since 2021 would be starting in a couple of weeks.  I understand the SS being locked after death.  If they asked for a 1310 now, that I would understand.  But, they haven't mailed anything to her apartment (and my sister has been getting the mail from there, so it's not like no one has access). Didn't file a 1310 at the time as she was still alive, though her death soon after wasn't unexpected.  Not that it matters from when the return was filed, but the bank account I had for the direct deposit, was a joint account with my sister.  My sister had been on it for the ten years after our dad had passed, so it wasn't a recent thing