We became legal guardians of our Grandson in 2004, when we lost our daughter, and received Social Security monthly payments for him, until he graduated HS in 2016. As we are now 65 & 70....can no longer work and are on a fixed income. (We both get Social Security & I receive a Teacher's Pension), we are struggling financially. Whereas our Grandson had financial aide his first year in college. BECAUSE his average fell, they would not pay out on his Fall Semester (2017) tuition bill. As Louis was struggling academically, we told him to withdraw from classes. Unfortunately, he did not do this in time, so even though he has no credits, we are still responsible for paying over $5,000 for this past semester. In order to get him back on track, we hired a consultant to help him with his study skills, at which time he will go to a Community College to raise his GPA, so he can get his financial aid reinstated. In the meantime, we are desperately struggling and need more money from Social Security! Any bit of info you can impart in helping us, would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! Our Grandson is a lovely young man, but unfortunately, HE was the one who found our daughter dead of a Post-Partum Heart Attack, after she gave birth to his sister. Louis has no biological parents and sadly, we do not have the extra money to get him through school. Last year, our government spent 100 BILLION dollars on ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, when plenty of our own young people need help. Also keep in mind, my husband is a Air Force Veteran. (Vietnam War....if this helps any)

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I should preface by explaining that my only area of expertise is Social Security, and I'm afraid that I don't have any advice for you based on that score. Your grandson is apparently too old to qualify for further Social Security child's benefits unless he becomes disabled before age 22. And if both you and your husband are already receiving Social Security benefits, you're likely already receiving as much as you're eligible for. In theory, the one of you that's 65 could suspend your benefits at age 66 in order to accrue delayed retirement credits. That could raise your future benefit rate, but would mean going without benefits in the meantime which would likely just worsen your current cash flow problems. Sorry I can't be of any help.

Best, Jerry