A birthmother had 5 children. While alive she drew disability benefits. Not the kind where you become disabled after you have paid into the system, but the kind where you are disabled and never able to work. (She was diagnosed Manic Depressive.)

Anyway, is there any money at all these kids are eligible for or are they going to fall through the cracks in the system?

JudyKayTee

Please don't post your email address{removed-<>} - that's dangerous. You will be answered on this thread.

Are you asking about SS benefits (she had to have worked at some point) or some other type of State or Federal benefits?

You specifically said birth mother - were the children later adopted by someone?

Playful Psychic

She NEVER worked. She was one of those people who was mentally unbalanced and couldn't hold a job. The children are not adopted. They are being cared for by various family members....except for the one I have. I tried to get Survivor Benefits for her but was turned down saying her mother never worked. I was just hoping there was something out there for the kids. After all, the money she was getting prior to her death was to take care of the children. Now they get nothing?

JudyKayTee

Who was paying the benefits when she was alive? She couldn't collect SS Disability unless she was employed.

Perhaps SSI?

Playful Psychic

Her mother calls them SSI benefits. I have no knowledge of any of that and don't know the difference!

Playful Psychic

I just received the denial paperwork from the SS. It says the birthmother did not work long enough under SS for her (the child) to receive benefits.

My question is this, IS THERE ANY OTHER PROGRAM OUT THERE THAT WOULD BENEFIT THESE CHILDREN? Does anyone know of anything we can do for them? Surely these children will not be allowed to fall through the cracks simply because their birthmother was mentally disable to make a living for them. Surely the government does not provide for the mother and the children ONLY while the mother is breathing and toss the children to the wayside once she is in the ground. Something MUST be in place. I just need some help finding it.

Thank you,
Cindy

JudyKayTee

Please don't shout, which typing in caps is - this is a volunteer site and members are busy all over the boards.

No, SSI does not provide benefits to the children of deceased recipients unless the child is disabled. It is for "disabled low income people with few assets."

Many factors enter into what benefits are available - but: where are the children now? Who has custody? Does the father pay support? How old are the children? Who is the legal guardian? The States and sometimes the Counties offer assistance but more info is needed.

Playful Psychic

My intent wasn't to shout. My intent was simply to emphasize the question at hand with the limitations of typing. I now see I have a bold option, which I will use in the future.

In answer to your questions:

Where are the children now?

3 are with the maternal grandmother.The father of two of them is in prison. The father of the 3rd is a druggie and does not work.

1 is with her father (the druggie who does not work)

1 is with me (a legal guardian). There is no known father.

What are the ages?

3 with grandmother are 15, 13, 7

1 with father is 10

1 with me is 6

Is support being paid?

No. The other 4 are getting TennCare, a state funded health insurance program. No other assistance is being offered. When I inquired to the state of Mississippi about the child I have, I was told she does not qualify for state funded insurance because I make "too much money".

The first four children live in Shelby County Tennessee. The child I have lives in DeSoto County Mississippi.

I think that answers all the questions you asked.

Thank you,
Cindy

JudyKayTee

What a bad situation all the way around - and, yes, the income limits for "too much money" are ridiculous. It's the same in NY State - if you make enough to feed yourself and a cat, you make too much money!

Have you looked at all - and I am not familiar with your area - at being appointed the child's foster parent or guardian or at adoption (of course, the fathers would have to consent for some of the children)? Some States provide stipends and monthly payments under those circumstances.

This is a heart breaker but I can't think of anything else - let me see if I can get somebody who might have more info to post here.

Playful Psychic

Adoption is the next step. Of course I do not believe that entitles her to anything. I will get an adoption tax break (if I hurry up before the entire government collapses!).

As far as my child's father, there is no one to contest anything. The birthmother was a crackhead on the streets. The father could be one of hundreds of men. Nobody is going to even try to step up or he would have already done that.

The grandmother is only interested in adopting if she (or the children) can benefit from it. She would, of course, be eligible for the tax break, but she makes very little money, and most of it is returned to her anyway because of the number of dependents she claims. I see little or no benefit for them in adoption.....except that they would be eligible for the grandmother's SS benefits when she dies. I think they would be anyway, but I am not sure of that.

If you learn of anything, I am all ears.

Thank you,
Cindy