Social Security Benefits & Children

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? New York
A man and a woman got married, had children and later seperated. Two of the children were on their own having graduated from school. A set of twins were living with the father until he became critically ill. They moved back in with the mother when the father could no longer take care of them (age 14)- father passed away. No divorce prior. The mother (unbeknownst to the twins) had been receiving social security benefits in the name of the children up until they turned 18. They directly received payments until they graduated from high school for approx. 8 mos. The mother and her new husband used all of the money prior to their 18th birthday - $2600/month (1300 apiece)- did not save a bit for the twins. Blew the money on their wedding, honeymoon and their fixer -up house. The mother even went as far as charging the twins $650 each/month for rent from their 18th birthday until graduation.

Is there any laws against this? They stopped receiving payments upon graduation from high school. Do payments usually continue if they are enrolled full time in college?

The mother was entitled to receive survivors benefits on behalf of her children until their 18th birthday. The mother provided for their care, both prior to the father's death and after. There was no divorce or child support order and her accounting to social security would have covered the care she provided. There is no requirement for the children to directly receive the payment or for money to be saved for them. In the past, payments continued if the children were enrolled full time in college or until they were married, that is no longer the case and payments cease at age 18 unless the child is qualified as disabled prior to age 18, then payments continue.

There is nothing illegal charging the children for rent from their 18th birthday until gradulation.