My son and I were receiving survivor's benefits from my husband, his stepfather until my son turned 16. When I signed up for these benefits I was told by the person who took my information that we could receive these benefits until he was 18. Apparently, this was incorrect because my benefits have stopped. My unemployment stops within 6 weeks as well which is putting us in a precarious situation. (I have a currently undiagnosed illness in which my blood pressure drops when the temperature rises above 80 or I get shocked or stressed and results in fainting.)

I have been turned down for disability in the past before these latest symptoms surfaced. (I am an insulin-dependent heart patient as well). I do not understand why these benefits stop at 16 unless the child is disabled. My son still requires food, water, electric and clothes just like a disabled child. Previously I was putting the majority of his check in a savings account for college. Now I am going to have to live off of his benefits and withdraw money from this savings account to repair our sole source of transportation and hopefully repair our air conditioner. I haven't received child support in over a year.

I wrote a letter to Social Security asking for the form to request a reconsideration. They sent me the form with a letter that had highlighted that I was no longer eligible for benefits because he turned 16. Do the people who decide on these matters take need into consideration at all? Am I wasting my time by filing an appeal? Any information regarding this question is greatly appreciated.