Getting representative payee status for sister with Alzheimer's - did we miss anything with Social Security?

ur gonna need more than just the rep payee stuff. my mom had dementia and we found out rep payee only covers the SS benefits themselves, not all the other decisions. get a POA ASAP while she can still sign it!!! we waited too long and ended up in court for guardianship which was $$$$$

You're on the right track, but there are several important distinctions to understand here: 1. Advance Designation: This allows beneficiaries to choose who would manage their benefits IF they need a representative payee in the future, but doesn't actually establish the payee relationship. 2. Representative Payee: This is what the SSA is setting up for you now - the authority to receive and manage your sister's Social Security payments specifically. 3. Power of Attorney: This is SEPARATE from SSA processes and handled through legal channels. A POA would give you broader authority beyond just Social Security matters. The SSA will likely require medical documentation confirming your sister's diagnosis and potential incapacity to manage her own benefits. They'll also evaluate your suitability as payee. I'd recommend: - Following up with SSA after 4 weeks if you haven't heard anything - Working with an elder law attorney on POA and possibly a healthcare directive - Keeping detailed records of all her financial matters - Having her husband provide a written statement supporting your appointment as representative payee

My husband tried calling social security for 3 WEEKS about something like this for his mom!!! Always busy signals or waiting for hours just to get disconnected!!! So frustrating!!!

I'm going through almost the EXACT same situation with my brother who has early dementia!! The SSA representative payee process is totally separate from legal authority!!! I found out the hard way that even though I was his rep payee, I couldn't handle his Medicare appeals or enrollment decisions. VERY IMPORTANT: get separate POA documents for healthcare and financial matters ASAP while she still has legal capacity!!! Once that window closes, you're looking at guardianship court which is expensive and time-consuming. Also make sure you have access to ALL her accounts since rep payee only covers the SS payment itself.

my neighbor went thru this. get the poa while your sister can still sign it. also you need to know that being a rep payee means u have to keep REALLY good records. ss can audit you and make you prove how you spent every penny of her benefits. my neighbor got in trouble because she didnt keep good enough records.

One critical point that hasn't been mentioned: the Representative Payee status does NOT transfer any legal authority to make decisions about her Social Security benefits beyond receiving and allocating the payments. You still cannot make application changes, address updates, or handle other administrative matters without additional legal authority. Prior to her condition progressing further, make sure you address: 1. Durable Financial Power of Attorney (specifically one that includes government benefits management) 2. Medical Power of Attorney 3. HIPAA Authorization forms for all her doctors 4. Advanced Medical Directive/Living Will Also, once you're established as her representative payee, request a "Representative Payee Accounting Guide" from SSA which explains exactly what records you need to maintain. You'll be required to file an annual accounting showing how benefits were used.

my mil has dementia and we found out too late that SS isnt the only thing to worry about!! make sure u get her bank accounts sorted too!! we couldnt access anything even tho we had rep payee and it was a NIGHTMARE

dont forget about the spending requirements! my cousin was rep payee for her mom and she got in trouble for using the money wrong. u gotta spend it only on your sister and keep all the receipts!