Can I change my mom's Social Security address as her representative payee if I live in a different state?
I'm really hoping someone can help me with this representative payee situation. My mother just moved to a senior living facility and needs to update her address with Social Security. The problem is she's 76 with pretty severe arthritis and doesn't use computers at all - so no MySocialSecurity account. She tried calling SS yesterday and today, waited over 2 hours each time before getting disconnected! I'm her official representative payee (have been for about 3 years now), but I live in Colorado while she's in Florida. There's a Social Security office literally 5 minutes from my house. Would they let me handle her address change in person since I'm her rep payee? Or do I have to be physically in her state to do this? She's getting really anxious about missing her next check with the wrong address on file. Any advice would be so appreciated!
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Diego Vargas
Yes, as her representative payee you can absolutely go to your local SSA office to change her address! You don't need to be in the same state. Make sure to bring: 1. Your photo ID 2. Documentation showing you're her rep payee (your rep payee approval letter from SSA) 3. Your mom's Social Security number 4. The new address information You might want to call the office first to see if you need an appointment, though many offices now accept walk-ins for this type of service.
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Chloe Harris
•Oh thank goodness! That makes it so much easier. I definitely have all those documents. Do you know if they'll need any proof of her new address? She hasn't received any mail there yet to use as verification.
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NeonNinja
went thru this with my uncle last year. u need your rep payee paperwork 100%. they might ask for proof of her new address so bring something if u can like a lease but they didnt ask me for it when i went
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Chloe Harris
•Thanks for sharing your experience! That's reassuring. I do have a copy of her facility agreement, so I'll bring that just in case.
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Anastasia Popov
As a rep payee, I've had to deal with SSA so many times for my brother who has disabilities. The phone lines are IMPOSSIBLE lately. I kept getting disconnected after 2+ hour waits too. Have you tried faxing in the address change request with your rep payee info? That actually worked for me once when I couldn't get through on the phones.
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Chloe Harris
•I didn't even think about faxing! That's a good backup plan if the in-person visit doesn't work out. Do you happen to know where I'd find the fax number? Is there a specific form I should use?
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Anastasia Popov
•You can find the fax number for your mom's local office (the Florida one) on the SSA website office locator. And yes, use Form SSA-521 for the address change. Include a cover letter explaining you're the rep payee, with both your SSNs, and attach a copy of your rep payee approval document. Keep the fax confirmation page as proof you sent it!!!
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Sean Murphy
I had the same exact problem trying to call SSA about my dad's benefits last month. It's ridiculous how they disconnect you after waiting so long! I finally got through using a service called Claimyr - it holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU But honestly, if you have the rep payee documentation and there's an office near you, going in person will probably be faster anyway. Just sharing what helped me when I was desperate to get through on the phone.
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Chloe Harris
•That service sounds amazing! I might need that for future calls. For now I'll try the in-person approach first since it's so close to me. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Zara Khan
THEY WON'T LET YOU DO IT!!!! I tried doing the EXACT same thing for my sister last year (I'm in Texas, she's in Arizona) and they said I HAD to go to HER local office, not mine. The whole representative payee thing didn't matter to them AT ALL. Complete waste of time. The system is BROKEN!!!
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Luca Ferrari
•That's actually incorrect. Per SSA's POMS section GN 00502.107, a representative payee can make address changes at any SSA office regardless of where the beneficiary lives. This is specifically addressed in their internal procedures. You may have encountered a representative who was misinformed. If this happens, politely ask to speak with a supervisor and reference this policy.
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Chloe Harris
•Oh no, that's concerning. I wonder if different offices have different policies? I really hope I don't run into that issue.
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Nia Davis
just wondering why ur mom moved facilities? my grandma is about to move too and we're worried about all the paperwork and SS stuff. good luck with everything hope the check doesn't get lost
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Chloe Harris
•She was in a place that wasn't providing good care anymore - found her medications mixed up twice in one month! The new place is smaller with better staff ratios. And thanks, I'm going to try the office tomorrow morning.
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Luca Ferrari
As others have said, you absolutely can handle this as her representative payee. One important detail to add: make sure you bring the most recent Representative Payee Accounting Report (Form SSA-623) that you submitted. This helps prove you're currently active as her payee. Also, while you're there, consider setting up her direct deposit if she doesn't already have it. This eliminates concerns about checks going to wrong addresses in the future. As her payee, you can designate either her account or a dedicated representative payee account for this purpose. One final tip: if you go to the office, try to arrive about 30 minutes before they open. Many offices have significant wait times, but being early in the morning typically reduces your wait substantially.
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Chloe Harris
•Thank you for these detailed tips! She does have direct deposit already, thankfully. I'll definitely bring that form and try to get there early. It sounds like the main issue is just making sure I have all the right documentation.
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NeonNinja
is ur mom on SSI or regular social security? cuz SSI has different rules about address changes
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Chloe Harris
•She's on regular Social Security retirement. She worked as a nurse for over 40 years before retiring.
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NeonNinja
•ok thats good then its easier with retirement benefits. SSI is more complicated with all the living arrangement stuff
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Diego Vargas
Just want to add - when you go to the SSA office, ask them to give you a receipt or confirmation of the address change. Sometimes these changes can take a few weeks to process in their system, and having documentation that you submitted the change on a specific date can be helpful if there are any issues. Also, if your mother's checks are already set up for direct deposit, the address change won't affect her payments. The address update is primarily for correspondence and tax forms (like the SSA-1099 she'll receive in January).
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Chloe Harris
•Great advice about getting a receipt. I'll definitely ask for that. And yes, she does have direct deposit, so that's a relief that her payments won't be affected. I was mostly worried about mail and tax forms going to her old address.
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