Does the parent have rights over a child's survivor benifits?

Question

Ok so, lets say a parent passes away, and a minor child went to apply for survivor benefits. They would need the surviving parent(Or a guardian) To do so, now these checks would come in the parent's name for the child. If the parent or guardian keeps this money, are they not supposed to spend it on the child's needs and not what they want? Isn't it the child's money and not the parent's? I also heard that at the age of 16 the child and actually challenge the parent for the rights of the checks if the parent is not using them in the child's interest, is this true?

Answer 1

Survivor benefits are like child support, no a child cannot apply or receive it, since is the money paid to the other parent to assist on the costs of raising the child, costs like a roof over the child's head, food on the table, clothes on the child's back.

Those benefits like child support will end when the child turns 18.

And no you cannot challenge your parent for the money at any age.

Answer 2

Survivor benefits are basically to replace child support (a dead parent has no way of paying). The money is NOT the child's. Its to offset costs like housing, food, heat, clothing, medical care. The money can be spent as the parent deems necessary, and does not need to be spent directly on the child. Things like having a bigger home, keeping a safe vehicle, gas money to and from places for the child, higher utility bills, etc. come with having a dependant.

Answer 3

The purpose of the survivor child benefits is to partially replace the deceased parent's income. It is to be used to help meet household expenses; e.g. rent/mortgage payments, utility bills and groceries - you know - the basic necessities of life. There is no social security requirement that any of the money be given to the child.



I would have thought that the very fact that social security is paying an adult and not you would be a big clue as to the rights of the parent when it comes to spending the money. If they didn't have that right then social security wouldn't be paying them, now would they?



Source: I was a social security claims rep for 32 year.

Answer 4

A child CANNOT apply for survivor benefits. It is the PARENTS' money to raise the child. NO a 16 years of age cannot challenge the parent. It would be hard to prove since the child is living under the parent's roof.

Child interest and child needs are 2 different things. It is not the child's money.

Answer 5

A child's survivor's benefits is for the care and up keep of the child NOT FOR THE CHILD DIRECTLY.



Minors by law are not allowed to control money or own property if you are being housed, fed, clothed and have access to medical care along with an education that is the full extent of the surviving parents financial responsibilities to you. Your parent can take any money you earn or are given they also own anything they were gracious enough to allow you to "have" this includes cars, phones, computers, access to the internet and any gifts you are given from ANYONE.

Answer 6

Survivor benefits are intended for the parent to use as he sees fit. The child is not entitled to any money himself.

Answer 7

It's the parents money to spend as they see fit. When you're 18 then you get to take over your own finances.