Receiving Social Security Survivor Benefits?

I'm 17 years old and recently had a child. My dad passed away when I was 9 years old and I receive a Social Security check. Well my mom gets it and it goes by direct deposit to her card. I can't live at home anymore and I have no family around me. It's just a very bad environment that I don't want my child around. I'm not going to go into detail because I don't want to hurt my mother either. But we both need to get out of there. My boyfriend lives with me also. He is turning 18 on the 29th of this month. I get my check usually on the 3rd of every month. I was wanting to know if I could call and get my check to go straight to me. Then I can move out and my boyfriend can set up an apartment for us. But I'm still going to school and I need money for us. He has a job but that won't be enough. I need to provide for my child. I'm just wondering if I would be able to do that or if I would have to get emancipated first:( We just need to get out of that house asap. Please lmk the best answer on what I should do, or if they will just start giving me my check because I'm a mother now.

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Amber E.

October 10, 20170 found this helpful

Best Answer

Technically your mom is what they call a representative payee. Usually when the recipient of social security benefits is a minor the parent or legal guardian is the one assigned to be the representative payee because they are the ones responsible for the care and financial responsibilities for that said person but it does not have to be a parent or guardian. I am unsure of the specifications required for someone to be made your representative payee, since your boyfriend will be 18 and you all will be sharing a household they may let you appoint him or they may pay you directly. They may have someone such as a social worker that can be appointed in the case that you dont have anyone you trust to be the payee. Basically, your check is made payable to "representative payees name" then it says For the care of "your name" well thats what it used to say before direct deposit.

Do you have a checking account? It may be as simple as calling them and telling them you would like to have your benefits direct deposited into a different account because you are now living on your own. The very first thing I would do is call the social security office and get some information. You dont have to request that anything be changed right away but you need to know what your options are. Ask them what you would need to do to change your representative payee, ask them what specifications does that person have to have, if it can be anyone you choose. Once you have some of the basic answers you will be better prepared to navigate a plan. Best of luck! Oh, I meant to tell you that my daughter used to get survivor benefits and I was her payee until she moved in with her grandma then they changed it to her grandma being the payee thats how i know it can be changed upon request.

cybergrannie
Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks

October 10, 20170 found this helpful

You say you are 17 years old, have a child but still attending school. You will be eligible for a benefit check as long as you are attending school full time until you graduate from high school or reach 19 whichever comes first.

As stated above, your benefit check will stop if you are not attending school full time (high school - not college).
Your benefit check goes to your mother because she was designated as your guardian and is suppose to use the money to provide shelter, food, clothing, and anything you need pertaining to your care. That is what the money should be used for.
You cannot do anything with Social Security over the telephone except ask general questions. Sometimes they will give bits of information but for something like this you will have to go in person to their office.
Social Security may transfer the benefit to your name if you can show that you are taking care of yourself and no longer live with your mother.
I'm not sure they will transfer it if it is just your intension to move out and need the check to be able to do that.
You will need your SS number and probably something showing your are still attending high school full time.

Nothing will be changed until you make a move on your own and discuss this with the SS office.

Just so you know, this benefit money is just for you and your own needs and has nothing to do with your child or your boyfriend.

coville123
Silver Post Medal for All Time! 433 Posts

October 10, 20170 found this helpful

YOU HAVE TO GO IN AND APPLY FOR YOUR OWN BENEFITS CALL 1-800-772-1213 You can also follow the link for more information,but it is better for you to speak with a social worker.www.ssa.gov/.../howtoapply.html

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