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What if a surviving parent never gives child their survivor benefits?

My aunt passed away from cancer in 1997, leaving 2 children behind as well as her husband. My cousin turned 18 about 5 months ago, and with in this last month found out that her father had opened up a bank account to receive survivor benefits she and her younger brother were supposed to receive. They never even knew about it....he uses it for his own purposes and even has them sleeping on the floor!!!!!! When she asked for $500 she needed to start college, he said that he didn't care if it was "for them" because in actuality it was his. What can she, or anyone do for her? Can he really do this?


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Depending on the situation, the father could argue that the funds were used for the benefit of the children (food, clothing etc.). Note survivor benefits end after age 18, or at the end of the 12th grade, whichever occurs first.

http://socialsecurityhop.com/forums/survivor-benefits-social-security/co...

If you believe the Representative Payee (the father) is misusing the payments (not using payment for benefit of the child), you may want to report it to the Office of the Inspector General :

http://www.ssa.gov/oig/hotline/repayee.htm

My daughter was killed 5 yrs. ago she left behind my grandughter which was 9 at that time, I tried to get custody but because she had a father living, even thow they was not married, had the right to her...she is almost 15 now, last december her dad callled and said she wanted to live with me. I am over joyed at last she is in my care, for years he has drug her here and there, I have always bought her school clothes, school supplies and what ever she needed because even thow he has custody and gets her check from my daughters death, he never buys her anything and what he dose get her he takes it back and ponds it for his drug habbit...since dec. he has never gave me or her any money, he dose not work, lives with his parents, and we went to ssi and told them. she stated she was living with me and all the problems she has went thru because of her dads drug use, and still they have to send him a request that I want to be payee....now what do you think he will want? and what will the ssi board do knowing this child check is being used foir his drug use not for her well being?????I am asking for prayer to all that believe GOD will move and not let him use her money any longer for his drug use...


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Not affiliated with the US Social Security Administration