Purplebill.. do you know? - Disabilities Message Board

dalesgirl · 07-16-2004, 02:12 PM

I was on another site and someone said that they had saved their child's benefits(SSI from a parents' death) and that now that the child is 18 SSA is asking for the money back. There was also something posted about an aunt who saved SS for her niece to go to college and that SSA sued for the money and won.

I realize that SSI and SSD which is what my sd gets is different but have you heard of this happening before? My sd has only gotten it for a year so far and is only 8 but by the time she's 18 it'll be a huge chunk of money. She could benefit from a few things that we'd like to get her ( a new bedroom suite, for one) and if SS is going ask for the money back we'd rather use it for those things for her then to let it sit and then lose it years from now. I actually put this question into the SSA website and awaiting a response but I thought I'd ask you if you've heard of this.

Purplebill · 07-17-2004, 03:07 AM

There is simply not enough information to anwer your questions over the internet. In general, SSI is a welfare program, in that it is means tested. It the claimant has over $2000.00 in cash or convertable assets they are not eligible for monthly paytments as long as they have those assets (cash type) that add up to $2,000.00 or more. Sometimes it can take years for SSA to figure out the assets but they generally do eventually. That is where massive overpayments can occur. I have seen overpayments as high as $100,000.00. And SSA can and will require that they be paid back.

So a savings account for a child recipient of SSI could prove to be problematic. The foregoing does not apply to SSDI or Title II benefits.

dalesgirl · 07-17-2004, 11:14 AM

Sorry I didn't clarify, My step-daughter and my children recieve benefits from my husband as he's disabled. Their portion is half of his monthly portion and split between the three children and myself. When it was first ordered only my sd received it and she received the backpayment. All of her payments have gone into an account. We just don't want to save for her for college thinking that's what it will be used for and then SSA come along and want the money back.

Purplebill · 07-17-2004, 10:44 PM

If your step daughter is receiving family benefits on her father's account because he is disabled, she can save as much as she wishes to use for her college education. There are no asset limits attached to SSDI benefits, only
SSI.

dalesgirl · 07-17-2004, 11:57 PM

K.. thanks!