Receiving Social Security Death Benefits?

jewlsjulie2008

My boyfriend's mom passed away when he was 6yrs old. He wanted try to get proof his grandfather used it on him or not. There was a significant amount of money received for him and his 2 siblings. Will it be worth it to check into it or not?

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mom-from-missouri
Silver Post Medal for All Time! 255 Posts

February 19, 20180 found this helpful

Best Answer

It would only be worth it if he felt it was not used on him. Did he have clothes? shoes? housing? Food? Clothing? Insurance? Vehicle used to transport him? Medical, vision and dental care? Utilities where he stayed? School/sports/camp fees & bills paid? If so, then I would not inquire. It takes more to raise a child than what you receive in social security. I received it for my 3 children after their father passed away. For each child, I could claim 1/5 (5 people in the house) of each of the utilities, their medical/dental/vision insurance (that alone was a couple hundred per child per month), their food, 1/5 per child of the house payment and home owners insurance.

1/5 of the car payment and 1/5 of the insurance, plus the gas. Not to mention school lunches, school fees, scout and church camp fees, sports expenses, yearbooks, class rings, medical copays..... What I got for them did not even begin to cover their expenses.

Judy
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February 19, 20180 found this helpful

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Your grandfather is supposed to keep a record of how that money was spent. If you feel that he didnt spend it on you the way he should have, I would inquire. From the letter you sent, I would assume your relationship is/was not the best. Be prepared for a lot of anger on his part of you do decide to investigate

cybergrannie
Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks

February 21, 20180 found this helpful

I guess the first thing to understand is that your boyfriend would have to be the one to make any inquires and the only place to do that is the Social Security office and he would have to go in person to be able to obtain any past or present information.

You do not give the age of your boyfriend but I assume he is past his teens and the grandfather is no longer receiving checks from Social Security?
How long did he live with his grandfather? All of the time the checks were being paid?
How do his siblings feel about the way they were cared for while living with their grandfather?
If he honestly feels that his grandfather misused the funds then he has a right to make inquiries but you have to remember - the funds were given to provide for all of the children.
Be sure to reread the posting by mom-from-missour as it has a lot of useful information about how these funds were supposed to be used.
This type of thing can completely break up a family so be sure to think about this before seeking information.
Also, if the grandfather is found to be neglectful or used the money for other than the care of the children, he may have to pay a fine and he may also be accused of fraud and that would be handled by the police department.

And - unless the grandfather has money to pay for any misused funds there will not be any money going to anyone as Social Security does not pay out additional funds just because someone did not use the benefits correctly.
In other words, you may find that funds were not handled correctly but there will probably not be any funds going to your boyfriend so think about why you wish to do this and what will be the outcome..

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