I am retired and we have adopted our two granddaughters. I am receiving social security for myself and both my granddaughters. I don't understand why I am receiving their social security also and how I am supposed to use it. Am I supposed to give it to them, save it for them or use it to help raise them? My granddaughter thinks they should get it to spend or save however they want. She doesn't think we should use any of it for monthly expenses, etc. Your help would be appreciated.

Hi,

If you've been appointed by Social Security as the representative payee for your grandchildren's benefits, then you are required to use their benefits for their current needs or save any funds not required for their current needs. Current needs include the costs of food and shelter, so it would be proper to use their benefits for their share of the household expenditures where they're living. For more information on your responsibilities as a representative payee, refer to the following Social Security publication: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10076.pdf.

Best, Jerry