Yes, I am aware that some of the SSI money (the lady I spoke with at SSA said about $200 or so) could be given each month to my mom for rent. However, I have read over and over again that specifically when it comes to backpay, that people are not allowed to give a lump sum (even a small one) of money to any individual for any reason.

When you responded to my question, are you talking about giving money to her monthly, or in regards to my question about backpay?

I've read on several sites, including this forum, that people may be asked to show proof of where the money has gone, and it is not allowed to be given to other people.

You can pay your legal debts. How much do you owe your mother? What were the terms of your agreement? When she fronted you the food and shelter, what did the two of you agree on?

Without an agreement, you have no loan. You cannot make food and shelter become a loan after the fact.

We didn't have an official agreement, that's why I was asking... because I didn't think it was allowed to give her money unless it was a situation where I had a lease or something and hadn't paid for several months.

I haven't paid her the same amount any time--I just give her what I can, whenever I can. Not just for rent, but for bills, groceries, etc.

I was just asking to make sure I was understanding correctly that I cannot just hand her some cash if I don't have anything stating that I owe her money.

I'm with the person I am replying too. I personally invested mine, I get 200.00 a month for that. I figured that I probably will never see that much money for the rest of my life. I am trying to learn to live on what I get every month from SSD. Some day I want to invest in a house, but that is just a dream at the moment, as I am kind of in debt from waiting 8 years for my disability to be approved.