Discontinuance of Social Security Student Benefits

GAO reviewed the measures being taken by the Social Security Administration to inform those people affected by legislative changes in social security student benefit programs. In August of 1981, a bill was passed which included legislation designed to phase out postsecondary student benefits under the Social Security Act and reduce the delimiting age to 19 years for such benefits. Based on a limited inquiry, GAO stated that the Administration has conducted an information campaign designed to generally inform the public concerning the changes to the student benefit program. The campaign has included pamphlets and news articles distribution, news releases, and radio announcements explaining the changes throughout the country. The Administration stated that it has also continued its normal practice of contacting all child beneficiaries 5 months before their 18th birthday to determine if they plan to continue in school and informing them of the student benefit program changes. Administration officials acknowledged two problems with their efforts. First, information releases to the newspapers highlighting student benefit changes did not occur until December 1981 and, second, in an undetermined number of cases, pamphlets sent to those persons approaching age 18 were outdated and did not reflect the legislative changes. GAO expressed concern with the fact that misleading information was sent to some people affected by the changes and stated that serious consideration should be given to sending correct notifications to these people, if they can be identified. GAO concluded by saying that it would work with the Administration in exploring other options of notifying persons affected by changes in the student benefit program.