My mom kept both my and my brothers' survivor benefits. She told us it was all going to a bank account until we turned 18. Well she lied. She used it all and never let us have access to it. Is there anything I can do about it?
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I would notify Social Security. As your guardian the money was supposed to be for your needs. They can call her in and ask for documentation and receipts proving she spent it on you. If she cant do that, they can collect it back from her and give it to you. Good luck.
You do not state your age but I am assuming you and your brother are both over 18 and now you feel it was unfair for your mother to keep SS survivor benefits from your deceased father's SS earnings that were designated for your care.
That money fed and clothed you and helped put a roof over your head. That was what your father would have done had he lived. How was your mother supposed to do those things on her own. Look at it as child support because that's what it did.
I didnt live with my for about 2 years. I ended up staying with a friend of hers who is like a second mom to me, and my actual mom never sent her money to help out with me. And I just turned 18 and my brother is still underage. For all for 2018 she got 4,401 and I wasn't even living in her house. Main reason I want to know what i can do about it is because like I stated she told us it was all going to bank account.
You should go to the SS office and discuss this with them because you not living in her house with her providing for you changes the situation.
Since your brother is still under 18 (and still in school?) your mother may be entitled to keep the benefit money for his keep but the money she received while you were not in her house should have rightfully gone to whoever was providing housing and care for you so that could mean you were not entitled to the money at that point either.
This benefit is provided for a child's care while they are young and then until they graduate from high school. No benefit will be paid past 18 if the child is not attending high school full time.
This sort of thing can turn into a real family mess so be sure of what you are doing as once started, there may be no turning back.
SS may send a notice to your mother to provide proof that she was providing for you but that does not mean they will collect any money for you unless your mother has money to pay.
SS may send her a notice that she has to repay the money she received but that still does not mean they will give it to you no matter if your mother lied and it will have nothing to do with your actual need for the money.
Question: Did you or anybody notify the SS office of your new address when you moved? Or give any reason why you moved? I am assuming you really believed your mother was putting some of that money in a savings account and was not concerned. Too bad she did not do this but try not to be bitter about all of this as it will not be good for you or your new baby.
You need to go to the SSA office (take your friend with you) and discuss all of this so they can help you to understand and also start whatever actions they decide to take.
They may not tell you anything about their actions (before or after) so do not expect to find out what actions they will or will not take. Most likely they will tell you they will look into what you are telling them and will contact you if they need to talk with you again.
Oh my. You are so young to have so many complicated things happening in your world.
cybergrannie gave you a lot of good information.
If I may add, if you need help understanding government red tape, you have access to free services through your state's senator.
Contact the state senator, explain your situation and ask for assistance. I found mine through google by putting in my city name and the phrase "state senator". They have many services, including lists for legal aide and assistance in getting public assistance.
Please know that assistance can come in many forms, from helping you obtain health insurance so you get good prenatal care for your baby to help after you give birth, if you need things like food stamps and help to pay your heating and/or electric bills.
Sometimes applications for the various forms of help can be quite complex, so use these FREE resources to get you and your baby off to a healthy and SAFE start.
It sounds like you are having a lot of anger and disappointment so please be sure to seek some counseling to help you through these challenges. You are very young, and you and your baby need a good and positive environment. Sometimes having someone to talk to can help. If you qualify for Medical Assistance, you can seek this kind of counseling and the insurance will pay for it. Even if you do not qualify, talk to someone in your religious community to see if you can get free counseling services there.
Last piece of advice is to talk to your OB/GYN or the hospital where you plan to deliver and start making arrangements NOW for things like a social worker and any assistance they can give you, like some hospitals offer free car seats or pack in plays or diapers. Sometimes this is contingent on going to a certain number of prenatal visits, so that is a win win situation--like getting paid for doing the right things!
You will be in my prayers! Post back with updates so we know you are OK.
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