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 the duly appointed representative of the payee’s estate. The amount represented by such check, or any amount recovered by reason of improper negotiation of any such check, shall be payable in the manner provided in , without regard to . Any amount not paid in the manner provided in shall be paid to the estate of the deceased payee unless the estate will escheat.section 5121 of this titlesection 5121(c) of this titlesection 5121 of this title