I am considering becoming my mom's representative payee to make it easier to work with Social Security on her behalf. However, I understand that doing so makes me responsible for all her affairs with SS. Is it a bigger hassle being one or not being one?
I was lucky, besides Mom having direct deposit, she still had her house. So I received her mail there. Once in LTC, I allowed them to become payee.
SS has no “control“ that I can discern, because ALL of the payment goes to HER CARE because IT IS HERS.
I have her SS check direct deposited to her checking account. I had to fill out a four page statement at the end of 2019 acknowledging that all of her SS money was used for her care.
It was EASY! All I had to do was tell the truth.
It is a little time consuming
It may also be better to have the money and statements come to your address and then you don't have to worry again.
I was told that I could use my address for my dad as long as it was a viable address for him. Meaning that the mail was not returned and I accepted it being delivered. This may be a good idea to do know before she is no longer able to provide the information.
As the cognitive decline increases, it has been harder to gain his 'approval', and he sometimes demands things not covered in his SSDI budget.
It has been explained that on SSDI income, one receives housing, utilities, and food, medications, not much else. (Small allowance).
It works great when he is cooperative, but when he is not, I am between a rock and a hard place.
I would still be his rep-payee as long as I am able. The alternative is unacceptable.
I couldn't see telling my dad that he couldn't keep a few hundred dollars in his wallet when it is so important to him.
However, if she is making detrimental financial decisions and refuses to let you help it may be the best solution. It does require that all of her money only be spent on her care.
Read the rules with a dictionary and then decide if it is the correct course of action.
I managed all my brother's affairs for a year with POA and being the Trustee of his Trust. There was nothing I had to do really with Social Security.
If you DO decide to do this SS will guide you through the process. Step one is that this can be done ONLY IF your Mom has been adjudged incompetent to handle her own affairs, OR has requested this. Either way it takes paperwork.
Do go to the SS site online and type in becoming representative payee. That will explain the process for you as well.