I haven’t read the whole thread, so forgive me if this has been stated many times. The SS benefit is yours but is paid to your family. If any of that money is used towards your upkeep while you live at home (food, shelter, clothing etc.) the SSA will allow for the parent to deduct that amount of money and not place it in an account in your name. In recent years the SSA has approved 529’s as an acceptable investment for dependent children. Your father will be sent a form a year or so from now and will be asked to state how much of the “child’s” money was used towards their upkeep and how much was put aside in an account. Honestly, the $1050 child benefit would barely cover a kids food and shelter if the family is destitute. It is your fathers “right” to use all or some of the money for your “upkeep”. Anything else needs to be put in an account in your name.