One of the primary purposes of Social Security is to assist older individuals who are unable to work in meeting their monthly financial obligations. While it was not intended to be the sole source of income for individuals, many Americans heavily rely on it for financial support. Social Security has been successfully fulfilling this role for over 90 years.
Unfortunately, in a situation discussed by a Redditor, the death of a family member will result in the loss of important benefits. The Social Security Administration does not extend benefits to adult children after the passing of a beneficiary. This leaves limited options for seeking alternative income from other government assistance programs.
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The Redditor in question is facing uncertainty regarding the fate of her grandmother’s Social Security benefits after the likely passing of her great-grandmother. With the potential loss of a significant source of income, the family is left wondering how they will manage their expenses without it.
At present, the grandmother receives $17,000 annually from Social Security, while the great-grandmother earns approximately $26,000 each year. As the great-grandmother’s health declines, the Redditor is unsure of what will happen to the $26,000 income stream. It is unclear whether these funds will pass down to her or her grandmother, posing a financial challenge for both individuals.
Upon the great-grandmother’s passing, the family will be required to notify Social Security and terminate her benefits, as they do not transfer to adult children. Failure to comply with this rule could have legal implications. While exploring possible options such as spousal or survivor benefits and military service benefits may offer some relief, additional sources of income are crucial to cover basic needs like food and housing.
Considering applying for programs like SNAP for food assistance and exploring part-time work opportunities may help mitigate the financial strain. Although the Redditor aspires to pursue higher education and believes full-time work may not be feasible, securing a part-time job could potentially bridge the income gap and support their financial stability.
The poster mentioned that she is currently receiving survivor benefits from her deceased parents. However, she will need to carefully consider how to balance part-time work with her studies and attending school. In addition to SNAP and potentially subsidized housing, there are limited alternatives available to replace the Social Security benefits provided through government programs. The post discusses the possibility of inheriting Social Security benefits from a grandmother and great-grandmother.
