My nephew has been receiving a SS check since his father died. He will soon be 18, but still in high school. Is there any way to protect this money - to keep him from spending the checks that he will receive until he graduates? He lives with his mother and the money is needed for them to live. She is afraid he will spend the money, instead of giving it to her.
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The check is supposed to go to his guardian. The money is supposed to be for his living expenses. I dont k know why he is getting the check directly.
It sounds like his mom will want to contact the Social Security Administration and ask for help as he may be unable to manage his money. The SSA has a representative Payee program. Their contact info is here:
The website is a little confusing, but it sounds like if the mom has the son's permission when he turns 18 to have the checks go to her to manage the money, but he would need to sign off on that request. Now if he is disabled or there are other circumstances, that may not be the case--but they are the experts and can explain it to his mom.
If the issue is that he won't sign off, then that is a whole other can of worms. If the situation is bad enough, she may want to enlist the help of a trusted church/synagogue/mosque figurehead to mediate a plan between her and her son. Or maybe the school guidance counselor can help in that function.
18 year olds think they are invincible and that money grows on trees (at least I did when I was that age) so his mom may have some challenges, but a good negotiator/mediator may be able to help her work with him to plan a good financial future!
Good luck!!
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