§ 913. Distribution of shares

(a) Payments to enrollees, next of kin, or legatees

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall distribute a share payable to a living enrollee directly to such enrollee, and the Secretary shall distribute a share payable to a deceased enrollee directly to his next of kin or legatees as determined by the laws of the place of domicile of the decedent, upon proof of death and inheritance satisfactory to the Secretary, whose findings upon such proof shall be final and conclusive.

(b) Payments to minors or persons under legal disability

A share payable to a person under twenty-one years of age or to a person under legal disability shall be paid in accordance with the laws applicable to such person in the place of his domicile, or in the discretion of the Secretary to the natural parent or guardian of such person.

(Pub. L. 86–97, § 3, July 17, 1959, 73 Stat. 222.)