I adopted my two nephews when their mother and father died at a young age and changed their last names to ours on their birth certificates. I was told I couldn't change it also on the their SS card. If I did I wouldn't be able to receive death benefits, so I didn't change it. With them now being young adults looking for jobs and wanting to apply to colleges and such, they need their SS card to match their birth certificate. Will I have to pay back all the money I have received over the years to care for them?
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Your children's last name, changed or not, has no effect on their right to SSA survivor benefits.
If your children formally qualified for and were actually receiving survivor benefits BEFORE you legally adopted them, the adoption does not affect their survivor benefits. You do not owe any money received for the entire period of the children's survivor benefits.
If the children were not yet qualified to receive survivor benefits and were not receiving benefits when you legally adopted them, then you may be required to repay part or all of the benefits received.
Make an appointment with your local SSA office to address your concerns and answer your questions.
Many different circumstances could apply to your question/case.
Ask your questions at your SS office so you will know where you stand.
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