This made me think of you ginnie, this is SS explanation of what SS is all about. What they say and what they do are two different things. They changed their website so people like me have to go through a thousand pages to answer one question. #@%*@#

Social Security


Social Security is based on a simple concept: While you work, you pay taxes into the Social Security system, and when you retire or become disabled, you, your spouse and your dependent children receive monthly benefits that are based on your reported earnings. Also, your survivors can collect benefits if you die. For more information read A Snapshot (05-10006).

This is a quote about child's benefits, not mother's benefits. Children's benefits last until the child is 18 or 19 if still in high school. Mother's benefits stop when the youngest child reaches age 16. I would guess the logic behind it is that 16 and 17 year olds don't need mommy or daddy watching them all day and the parent can get a job.

What I am not sure of is if the 7 year period begins with the date the mother last received benefits or the child last received benefits. It would be a two year difference.

And regular widow's benefits start at age 60, not age 62.

Horrific accidents cause all kinds of financial problems for everyone involved. Becoming disabled generally creates a lower standard of living for everyone who is disabled. But there is no program that can be designed or funded to feel fair to both the working and the non-working citizens.

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** Janke was clearly refering to the widow/widower collecting survivor's benefits when writing, "Survivor benefits were never designed to provide a life long benefit for able bodied adults and if a widow/widower chose to stay out of the workforce after her/his child turned 16 and they were still able bodied, why should they qualify for disabled widow's benefits 8 years later? Why didn't they go to work and earn their own Social Security credits?"

That is absolutely correct, per the SSA right here........

from: http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/onyourown2.htm
"•Your widow or widower who has not remarried can receive survivors benefits at any age if she or he takes care of your child who is under age 16 or is disabled and receives benefits on your record"

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/185

I use to be able to find the whole 7 year rule but with the overhaul of the site they moved it. The mothers benefits stop when the child turns 16, 18, 19, 22( if disabled) depending on what fits your circumstance.

How remarriage affects survivors benefits

In general, you cannot receive survivors benefits if you remarry before the age of 60 unless the latter marriage ends, whether by death, divorce, or annulment.

If you remarry after age 60 (50 if disabled), you can still collect benefits on your former spouse's record. When you reach age 62 or older, you may get retirement benefits on the record of your new spouse if they are higher.

Your remarriage would have no effect on the benefits being paid to your children.
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How retirement affects survivors benefits

If you are collecting survivors benefits, you can switch to your own retirement benefits (assuming you are eligible and your retirement rate is higher than the widow/widower's rate) as early as age 62.

In many cases, you can begin receiving reduced benefits either on your own or your spouse's record at age 62 and then switch to the other benefit when you reach full retirement age, if that amount is higher.

There are always rules sometimes it's 60 other times it's 62.

Sure you pay into for life from your pay check. I understand that. What I receive was based on what my earnings had been. I was a single parent with two kids, no insurance, no child support, no anything and a big auto immune disease. I had to retire early, way early, I sure did all I could before that happened. I did not put in enough to sustain me now. So what happens when you fall apart too young, seems to me you are penalized for getting sick to young. I don't really think that is right eithor.I did not ask for my neck to fold over on itself. I did not ask for any of the illness that has visited my way, and neithor did anyone else. You should not be put in poverty just because you cannot function well anymore. The whole system needs help and reform. I don't think this next charm of health care is going to work either. All I hear about is medicaid cut this and that. When you get little to begin with, what do they expect you to do? This has led to homelessness for people. I am flat out sick of rules that each of these acencies expects you to follow. They don't even answer your question when you go there in person. The system stinks. I didn't make alot as an artist but I sure worked my butt off. It wasn't good enough for this country. ginnie

Hi legal mania, I was at the attorneys today. Gave him all information on all agiencies involved with my case. I hope he will support me with the laws that contradict each other. Why would I be required in the first place to pay for taxes on a home I don't own. A trust owns the house I am in. There is no way I can have that much money in my possession according to some rules from medicaid. If I can't save it, or work for it, or some how collect it from my family, I would loose this home for non payment of my taxes in three years time. I was penalized from DCF because I didn't pay my taxes, my son did. I lost the food stamps for most part. Its not worth keeping the card. SS also requires you to tell of anything that happens that is different. I did that, according to their rules. I am less able to pay this each year. My son feels bad now, he could have given me the money I guess and then don't they ask you where you got it? The lawyer will have to find out about this trust I guess and how it is reviews by person involved. I am to submit all my evidence in the form of statutes to support my case. I don't know anything about law. What statutes exactly am I to be looking for now to help my case? I don't feel good enough to go through all this. ginnie Sorry all of you for squacking so much, I'm going to bed and I'll be quiet. Love to all ginnie

I'm sorry that you are having such a rough time of it, Ginnie.

Did your son put the money in your account so that you could pay the taxes ? I'm not understanding why your benefits were cut if he paid the taxes. Did they consider that a gift ?

Belay my last.

Are you the only one on the trust? Why is your attorney making you do all the legal research, doesn't he have a paralegal working for him? I can help you ginnie I do know how to research the law. If there is anyone else who wants to know how to do this lets start a chat. We all need to ban together like they did in Egypt.

no your not "Squacking"to much.as a matter of fact your saying everything on how we all feel and what we to are going thru also.at times it gets me down so bad that i have trouble trying to sleep.that why i had to see a "Shrink"to give me something so i can.now im in therapy once a week.but all that can be elimated if i was getting help from the "Fed's"(SSDI).then all this would all be gone from my life and to get on with my new one(if you can call this a "NewLife") im like you .from one day to the next"what am i to do