Apr
27
2011
By Guest (not verified)
I receive SSI benefits for 2 of my kids. They told me that I need to use it for there shelter costs also. How much rent am I allowed to deduct from there check? Can I divide the rent into 3?
Representative payee accounting
I assume you're acting as the Representative Payee for your children.
Here is guidance on how you must use monthly benefits :
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10076.html#how
First, you must make sure the beneficiary’s day-to-day needs for food and shelter are met. Then, the money can be used for any of the beneficiary’s medical and dental care that is not covered by health insurance, and for personal needs, such as clothing and recreation. If there is money left after you pay for the beneficiary’s needs, it must be saved, preferably in an interest-bearing account or U.S. Savings Bonds.
Dividing the total rent on a pro-rated basis seems reasonable, but I couldn't find anything to confirm this is OK. You may want to confirm this directly with the SSA.
How Much Rent?
Well in light of the FACT that my foster son's "AUNT" basically ROBBED him of his benefits for OVER two years, having sent HIM back to MA, where he was placed into foster care and moved to different homes, until he came here, meanwhile SHE continued to COLLECT all his benefits in Kansas and neglected to mention to Social Security, that he no longer lived there with her... I am sure HIS benefits, made life for her, her husband and THEIR children much better, as her nephew went without ANY of his benefits. I made social security aware of what happened, and the FEW things she had done for him, relative to the thousands of dollars she had made off him and SHE has faced ZERO consequences for her FRAUD. At least you are actually providing a home and care for the children and of course, you should be able to figure the costs out that way, if there are three people and each has a bedroom, then dividing by three, makes sense for figuring out the housing costs, all the best to you and them.