My two girls started receiving a small benefit each month under my claim because of my disability. I opened accts. for their individual benefit checks 5 months after their benefits started. I did not deposit their checks until we needed them and of course have all the receipts, bills ect. to show where the money has been used. My question is, when I applied the local office told me that it was not neccessary to have seperate acct. for each but to just make sure the money is used exclusively for their needs, which they have been, but My oldest just turned 18 & will only get benefits for a few more months & then it stops & I received a letter with a reveiw worksheet stating I , as their alternate payee needed to open an acct & keep their money from intermingling with my own. I did deposit a few checks into my acct. but the money was used immediantly for their needs & I have documentation, receipts ect. Also, before I got the letter/review worksheet we'd deposited her back benefits & 3 benefit checks into her bank acct. (her back pay came late because they had to make sure I was not receiving SSI, which I'm not) but the letter also states that I am to return whatever extra monies I have for her. I'm so confused about this! I was up all night stressing because I'd not prevented 'intermingling' of their benefits even though I used it specifically for them. The local office lady I spoke to @ SSA told me I just had to use it for them & that I didn't have to have a special acct. for each child but the letter says differently. Does that mean her back benefits have to be returned? We got them at the end of Dec.2009 but I did not deposit it yet as my daughter was going through some serious medical stuff & she had planned to use them for college fees, some school things, pay off part of her car & graduation fees ect. I am going to call SSA & go in person to speak with someone but wondered if anyone could help me with this?
Thanks guys!

Welcome to Neuro Talk!! So happy you found us...lots of great friends to be made!

We have a Social Security Disability Forum...I have attached a link below...

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum28.html

Do you have a SS Lawyer? If so I would ask them what's up with the strange letters. My children were adults when I got my SSI so they couldn't draw any money from. My husband...known as Olhipie here on NT, his children were young so they received monthly checks. His daughter was able to keep her money coming as long as she was registered as a full-time student at the University. I think if you have an attorney they should know why SS is asking for the back pay back...what's with that??

Welcome and hope you can find some answers to your questions...in the mean time take care!!

Welcome to NT

I understand your concern from your reading your post. It does sound like a "strange letter." I've not had much dealings with SS, but I know they have specific rules for everyone. I've never heard of such strict rules for dependent benefits.

It is a good idea to have some understanding of the SS benefits, but they do get confusing. The SS office would be your best source for answers.

I would also suggest you contact your US Congressperson in your district. They will help you.

I would also suggest you compile your info in date order, so you know when things happened, who you talked to and what they said. Ask questions and write it down and read it back to the person you're getting your answer from. It may be necessary to refer back to things so you can get this straightened out.

It's my understanding they do draw if enrolled in school.

Keep us posted about what you find out. Others here will share their experiences.

See you around the board.

Hi and welcome to neurotalk,

I really feel for what you are going through at the moment, but can't comment, as I live in Australia. I hope you get some answers to the questions you have.
Kate

Hi and welcome to Neuro Talk! I'm sorry you are so stressed though...However, we just receivied a similar letter. We had done about the sme thing. My son had been saving some money in an account we had set up with his and my name on it soley for the SSD checks. We called the main number and they told us that it was because he had turned 18 and basically don't worry. But we just need to send the money in the savings back to them so they can reissue a check in just my son's name rather than in my name. It's just a formality the way I understand it! (I really think it was a form letter, because they did not have access to knowing what was in his savings acct)

I hope this helps! Now Breathe!!!

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help. There are great number of fellow members here to assist as possible. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene