niffy1963

Bottom line: It's PAINFUL, but there is an answer. I (or I should say my wife) have been dealing with this for 10 years. I receive the Helpless Child Benefit as my son is permanently disabled. He has received SSI since prior to his 18th. The transition was relatively easy. Submitted once, disapproved, appealed, approved. Now is where the fun begins. Every three months since his 18th Birthday we receive a letter from SSA explaining his SSI is being reduced by x amount due to HIS Department of Veterans Affairs payments of x. This precipitates a phone call to the SSA explaining the payment is NOT to him, it is to ME and is used to offset the cost of his care PERIOD. Then they reinstate with backpay and the cycle begins again. EVERY THREE MONTHS! The one thing you will absolutely need is a letter from the VA. It has worked for us. The hardest part is that every time you call you will get a new bureaucrat who isn't familiar with this fairly unique situation. I am happy to provide the text of the letter if you want it.