Questions on Social Security Benefits for a child whose parents recently died.

[diabeticman]

My wife got her weekly e-mail from her college friend--one of them-- (normally they e-mail at least once a week to keep each other informed about what's going on in each others lives. However she hadn't heard from her friend for about 3 weeks --odd but not completely unusual considering busy schedule etc...) The friend explained that she had been busy with a lot of bad events.

The woman lost her brother-in-law and sister to a car accident leaving her to care for her 13 year old niece who escaped the car crash with a broken leg and some scraps (believe it or not her seat belt broke and she was thrown from the car before it started a HUGE roll down a large) and well the friend has been helping her niece and dealing with the funerals since she is basically the only family left for her niece. Her brother-in-law was an only child of a single mother and both of her friend's parents died about 10 years ago.

about 5 years ago the Brother-In-law and sister took in the Brother-in-law's mother who was dying. The sister had been a teacher but lost her job because the of schools being consolidated in her area and she was going to try for another job but after moving the sick mother-in-law in she cared for the woman until she died.

Anyways she's not sure what to do. She herself makes a very good wage (especially in this economy) and she can easily take care of her niece and put her through college with no problem but My wife's friend has been hearing from other concerned friends and co-workers that she should look into the benefits the girl could get from SSA.

Is it worth it? Could she place the money in a trust of some sort for the girl that she can get after college (Girl is on the fast track college with AP college classes) to do with as she wants or help her settle into an apartment or home etc. She was also thinking of creating a checking/savings account that she would put a certain amount in for the girl to use as a allowance type thing but basically her money to do what she wants with.

Her father made about $50,000 a year.

To make matters worse the parents' insurance company is fighting paying hospital bills collection bills are starting to come in.

Any ideas where the friend should start or should she just go with the original plan of just taking care of her and play for her college and anything spoil her any way she can (The friend ALWAYS spoiled her to begin with.)

[notadmblnd]

1. yes apply for SS survivors benefits for her.

Should be a decent monthly amount. When my husband died I received 1485 a month for our son. They do send you a questionaire every year asking how much you saved for the person. I always aswered zero and I'm glad I did because when my son turned 18, I got a letter sayig that hwatever I had saved, I would have to pay back, Social Security is very easy to work with and will answer any questions you have. I never had a problem that I could not resolve. make sure you ask them about saving the money for the child. You will probably have to show you have custody, but the child is deffinately entitled to those benefits until she turns 18 and graduates HS. Also, there is a whopping 255.00 death benefit payout for each parents that can be used to help with funeral expenses. If there is money in the parents estate, then pay their bills with it. However, you are under no personal obligation to pay their bills out of your pocket.

Hope this helps a little.

[diabeticman]

4. Yes, it does help. Honestly my wife's friend is a big hearted person BUT what is

making her made is the insurance companies fighting what THEY should be covering.

She basically has custody of he girl now and is making moves to adopt her.

[VanillaRhapsody]

2. Ask Paul Ryan how good SS is when you lose just one parent!

His family was well off and he was able to put himself through college on just his SS. So yeah it was a good deal for him...unfortunately he wants to see it cut for your friends niece!

[newfie11]

3. My dad passed away when I was 17

I went to the Social Security office and stood in line with all the seniors.
It's been many years ago but I did get SS checks monthly and helped me greatly while in college. My dad was an electrician 50 years ago so she would get much more than my $250. a month.
Yes she needs to get the money. I am sure her parents would want that.

[diabeticman]

5. That's what my wife said about the niece parents wanting her to have it. I think

the friend is just feeling awkward taking the money considering she basically makes about 4 times what her parents made when they both worked--not that she held it over their head in fact she ALWAYS helped them.

[mysuzuki2]

6. ditto to all the above.

This is a common situation I dealt with many times during my time with ssa. Call 1 800 772 1213 and make an appointment for in office or phone. It will be easy. She will have to prove custody and the girls relationship with her parents.

[FourScore]

7. Absolutely. It is the girl's right to have the money.

It is the only correct thing to do, and it is what her parents would want. How do they know there was no life insurance policy?

Poor dear. She must be devastated.

[diabeticman]

8. She is having a hard time dealing with it. So my wife's friend has basically been helping

her niece deal it. The friend just went ahead and paid for the funerals (so she-- the friend could grieve herself .)

She will be selling the house eventually when the niece is stronger to see it happen. She gave the mother's car to charity (They had been in the father's car) and the insurance policies the parents had kind of had a glitch of some sort and will be coming in the next week.