According to the Social Security Office for the Inspector General (as of 3/1/2015), approximately 14.470 students were underpaid $59.5 Million in Social Security benefits. recent audit.

This organization provides an independent oversight over the operations and programs of Social Security Administration. It conducted an investigation in order to find out if the agency continues to provide benefits for children aged 18 or older who continue to attend school.

An investigation of 100 students found that 87 did not get their benefits continued as it should after they reached 18. Underpayments totaled $357,872.

Learn more about Personal Finance
How taxes on wages for Social Security could change
Seniors have high hopes for prescription drug pricing reform
Bill aims to update federal SSI benefits for elderly, disabled

The Social Security Office of the Inspector General based on these findings estimates that the agency has underpaid approximately 14,470 beneficiaries to the tune of $59.5million.

It also made recommendations on how the SSA could better make sure beneficiaries get the money they deserve. According to the report, the SSA agreed with these recommendations.

Unmarried children younger than 18 years old may be eligible for Social Security benefits, if the parents are receiving disability, retirement, or survivors benefits.

They may be eligible for benefits even after they turn 18, if they’re still students or disabled. Students must be enrolled in an education institution for at least 20 hours per semaine to qualify. They must also be at least 19 years old and less than two months.

According to the report, there were no controls within the SSA systems to manage the information about the beneficiaries. There were also no alerts informing Social Security workers that the benefits are still due to students.

Social Security Office of the Inspector General recommended that the agency create alerts and update these systems.

Social Security should also take corrective measures for the 87 beneficiaries that it found in its investigation. It also recommends that Social Security workers be trained to correctly input data so students can continue receiving benefits even after reaching 18.