I received a booklet from SSA yesterday. I receive survivor's benefits for my son after my husband's death. He will turn 18, and will receive it until June, when he finishes high school.

So - my question is this... the new booklet states: "A child's benefits stop with the month *before* the child reaches age 18, unless the child is disabled or is a full-time school student...." indicating that they pay in advance, so he will have his last check in May. I question that this is actually true. I want to make sure he receives every month he is entitled.. so shouldn't he receive a check in June also?

You answered a similar question and it stated the opposite from what the booklet stated ... so I want to make sure that SSA is now not doing a bait and switch on the rules, and people are getting short-changed, without realizing. See your answer below:

Hi,

I need more information to be able to properly answer your questions. What I can tell you is that Social Security basically pays benefits a month behind. So, if you are eligible for a benefit payment for the month of June, your payment would be scheduled for sometime in July.

The *new* SSA booklet now says: "the benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due. For example, you would receive your July benefit in August." By that example, he should receive his last benefit in July - by that example. Yet, the woman at the SSA said it would stop in May.

Hi,

If your son turns age 18 in June, he would normally receive his last check in June, which is when Social Security pays benefits for the month of May. However, if your son is still a full time high school student and the school year ends sometime in June, then he'll be paid in July for June. Social Security should send your son a notice shortly before he turns 18 telling him what he needs to do if he will still be attending high school in the month that he reaches age 18. Basically, he'll need to have the school complete a form for Social Security that verifies his dates of full time attendance.

Best, Jerry