How to change parents' Social Security mailing address when POA isn't recognized by SSA?

Yes, the form you need is SSA-1 (Application for Change of Address). BUT more importantly, you should file Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative) which will allow you to act on their behalf for Social Security matters without needing them present each time. Have your parents sign both forms and take them to your local SSA office in person if possible - much faster than mail. Bring your POA document too, even though SSA has their own form system.

omg i went thru the EXACT same thing with my mom last yr!!!! the social security ppl dont care about your regular POA, its crazy. you gotta use their special form. and the phone wait is insane right??? took me like 5 tries to finally get someone

The SSA rules on representation are quite specific. Your durable Power of Attorney from a state court doesn't automatically transfer to authority for Social Security matters. As the previous poster correctly noted, you need Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative). Beyond that, for the mailing address change specifically: 1. Complete Form SSA-1696 for each parent (they must sign) 2. Complete Form SSA-1 (Change of Address) for each parent 3. Bring original POA documents and government-issued ID for yourself 4. Bring parents' Social Security cards if available 5. Bring proof of their current residence (assisted living paperwork) You'll save significant time by visiting your local office with an appointment rather than trying to handle this by mail or phone. The address change itself is simple once your representation is established.

When my dad got sick I tried for TWO MONTHS to change his address!!!! The 800 number is completely useless, either you wait forever or they disconnect you. I eventually fixed it by using Claimyr.com to get through to an actual person at SSA. They have a system that navigates the phone tree and waits on hold for you, then calls you when an agent picks up. You can see how it works in their video here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU I was able to get the address changed in one call once I actually spoke to someone. Still had to have my dad with me to give permission, but at least we didn't have to sit on hold for an hour!

THE SSA IS RIDICULOUS!!! I went through this EXACT nightmare last year with my uncle. The SSA DOES NOT recognize standard POA documents - which is INSANE since every other government agency and financial institution does!! They make their own rules. They are DELIBERATELY making it hard for family to help older relatives. I actually had one SSA employee tell me "we don't recognize POAs because elderly get taken advantage of" - meanwhile my uncle was missing important SS letters!!! DON'T WASTE TIME ON THE PHONE. Go to the office with the forms others mentioned. And GOOD LUCK getting an appointment - took me 3 weeks to get one!

my mom had the same issue. we just wrote a letter and both signed it. took it to the office. they fixed it right away

Let me share some important information that might help you navigate this situation more effectively: The Social Security Administration has specific rules about representation that are different from standard POA arrangements. This is actually for protection of beneficiaries, though it can certainly feel frustrating when you're trying to help family members. Here's what you should do: 1. Download and complete Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative) for each parent 2. Have your parents sign these forms while they are lucid and able 3. Complete Form SSA-1 (Address Change) for each parent 4. Make an appointment at your local field office through the national number 5. Bring the completed forms, your ID, their Social Security cards if available, and your POA documents Once the SSA-1696 is processed, you'll be able to handle most routine matters without your parents being present. This authorization is specifically for Social Security matters and works alongside your general POA. If your father has documented dementia, also bring any medical documentation of this condition, as it may be relevant if the SSA needs to consider a representative payee arrangement in the future.

weird question but does anyone know if you can fax these forms??? my parents live in another state and i cant just go to their local office

Update: I called the local office this morning and they said I need to bring my parents with me if I want to file the SSA-1696 forms!! That defeats the whole purpose since getting them there is extremely difficult. Dad can barely walk and gets confused in new environments. Is there any way around this???

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation! I went through something very similar with my grandfather last year. The SSA's system is incredibly confusing, especially when you're trying to help elderly parents who can't navigate it themselves. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like the SSA-1696 form is definitely your best bet for long-term help. But for the immediate address change issue, I found that bringing a simple signed letter from my grandfather along with his ID worked at our local office. The letter just said "I authorize my granddaughter [my name] to change my mailing address to [new address]" and he signed it. That said, definitely pursue the SSA-1696 too so you don't have to go through this headache again. And if your local office is being difficult about the in-person requirement, try calling the main number and asking about accommodations for people with mobility issues. Some offices are more flexible than others. Hang in there - I know how exhausting this process can be when you're just trying to help your parents! The assisted living facility missing important documents is the last thing you need to worry about.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation with my elderly aunt right now, so I completely understand your frustration! One thing that helped me was contacting our state's Area Agency on Aging - they often have advocates who are familiar with SSA procedures and can sometimes intervene or provide guidance when you're hitting roadblocks with local offices. Also, if your parents are veterans or spouses of veterans, the VA has liaisons who work with SSA and might be able to help navigate this process. I discovered this completely by accident when I was helping with my aunt's VA benefits. For the immediate address change, you might also try going to the SSA office during less busy times (typically mid-week, mid-morning) when staff might have more time to work with you on finding solutions. Sometimes the person you talk to makes all the difference - I had to visit three times before I found someone who really understood the mobility accommodation rules. Don't give up! Your parents are lucky to have someone advocating for them through this bureaucratic maze.

I'm going through something very similar with my mom right now, so I really feel for you! The whole SSA system seems designed to make it as difficult as possible to help elderly parents. One thing that worked for me was bringing a notarized letter from my mom's doctor stating she has "cognitive impairment that prevents her from managing complex administrative tasks." This seemed to carry more weight than just explaining her condition verbally. The SSA staff were much more accommodating once they had official documentation. Also, I found that some assisted living facilities have social workers on staff who are familiar with SSA procedures - they might be able to provide guidance or even help advocate for your parents. It's worth asking if your parents' facility has someone like that. The advice about the SSA-1696 form is spot on - it's a pain to get set up initially, but it saves so much hassle later. And definitely don't give up if the first person you talk to says they need to appear in person. As others mentioned, there are accommodations for people with mobility and cognitive issues, but not all staff members seem to know about them. Hang in there - you're doing an amazing job advocating for your parents in a really frustrating situation!

I just wanted to add one more option that might help with the immediate address change while you're working on the SSA-1696 forms - you can actually request a temporary mail forwarding through USPS for your parents' old address to your new address. This won't solve the long-term SSA issue, but it can ensure you don't miss any critical Social Security documents while you're getting everything sorted out. The mail forwarding can be set up online and gives you a safety net for up to 12 months. I did this for my grandmother when we were dealing with similar SSA bureaucracy, and it prevented any important documents from getting lost during the transition period. Also, once you do get the SSA-1696 processed, make sure to keep copies of the approved forms in multiple places - I learned this the hard way when I had to prove my authorization again months later for a different issue. The SSA doesn't always have the best internal communication between different offices and staff members. You're doing everything right by being persistent and advocating for your parents. This system is unnecessarily complicated, but you'll get through it!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - I went through almost the exact same situation with my grandmother last year! The combination of SSA bureaucracy and trying to help elderly parents who can't handle the stress themselves is absolutely exhausting. Everyone's advice about the SSA-1696 form is spot on, but I wanted to add a few things that helped me get through the process: 1. When you call SSA, specifically ask to speak with a "disability specialist" or "hardship case worker" - they tend to be more familiar with accommodation procedures for elderly clients with mobility/cognitive issues. 2. If your parents' assisted living facility has an activities director or social worker, they often maintain relationships with local SSA staff and can sometimes make calls on behalf of residents' families. Worth asking! 3. Document EVERYTHING - dates, times, names of who you spoke with, what they told you. I ended up needing this when different staff gave me conflicting information. 4. Consider having your parents sign multiple copies of any authorization forms while they're having good days - cognitive issues can fluctuate, and you don't want to be stuck if they're having a bad day when you need signatures. The whole "we don't recognize regular POAs" thing is infuriating when you're just trying to help, but you WILL get through this. Your parents are lucky to have someone fighting for them through this bureaucratic maze!

I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating situation with my elderly father right now! What finally worked for me was combining several of the strategies mentioned here: 1. I got a brief letter from his doctor stating he has "limited mobility and cognitive impairment that prevents in-person visits to government offices" 2. Had both the SSA-1696 and SSA-1 forms notarized at a UPS store (much easier than trying to get a notary to the assisted living facility) 3. Called the main SSA number and specifically asked for a "disability specialist" as someone mentioned - this made ALL the difference! The specialist knew exactly how to handle cases with mobility accommodations. The disability specialist walked me through submitting everything by certified mail and even gave me a direct number to call for follow-up. No more getting transferred around or dealing with staff who didn't understand the accommodation procedures. Also, definitely set up that USPS mail forwarding as a backup - it saved me when there was a delay in processing the address change. The whole process took about 3 weeks once I got connected with the right person, but it was so worth it to have everything properly set up. Don't give up! The system is unnecessarily complicated, but there are people within SSA who understand these situations and can actually help once you reach them.

I'm reading through all these responses and feeling so grateful for this community! I had no idea there were so many people who had gone through similar struggles with SSA. Based on everything I've learned here, I'm going to take this approach: 1. Get a letter from Dad's doctor about his mobility/cognitive limitations 2. Set up USPS mail forwarding immediately as a safety net 3. Have both parents sign multiple copies of SSA-1696 and SSA-1 forms (getting them notarized at UPS) 4. Call SSA main number and specifically ask for a "disability specialist" 5. Submit everything by certified mail with detailed cover letter explaining the situation I'll also check with the assisted living facility about social workers who might be able to help, and look into our local Area Agency on Aging for additional advocacy support. This thread has been a lifesaver - thank you all for sharing your experiences and practical solutions! I'll update everyone once I get this resolved. Wish me luck! 🤞

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly frustrating situation! As someone who works with seniors navigating government benefits, I see this SSA representation issue come up constantly, and it's one of the most maddening bureaucratic hurdles families face. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the SSA-1696 form - it really is the key to solving this long-term. But I wanted to add a few additional tips that might help: 1. When you get that doctor's letter, ask them to specifically mention that your parents "require assistance with complex administrative tasks" - this phrasing tends to resonate well with SSA staff. 2. If you have trouble reaching a disability specialist by phone, you can also visit your local office and ask to speak with a "Claims Specialist" who handles complex cases. Sometimes the in-person approach gets better results. 3. Keep a copy of your parents' lease or admission agreement from the assisted living facility - SSA sometimes wants proof of the address change beyond just your word. 4. Once everything is set up, ask SSA to put a note in both your parents' files indicating you're their authorized representative. This can prevent confusion in future interactions. The fact that you're being so proactive and persistent shows what a caring child you are. This process shouldn't be this hard, but you're doing everything right. Hang in there - you WILL get this resolved!

I'm just now discovering this thread and I'm amazed by how helpful everyone has been! I'm actually going through something very similar with my mom right now, and reading through all these responses has been like finding a treasure trove of practical solutions. What really strikes me is how many families are dealing with this exact same SSA representation nightmare. It makes me wonder why SSA doesn't have clearer guidance available upfront about the SSA-1696 process - it seems like such a common need for families with elderly parents. @Jasmine Hancock - your action plan from a few comments back looks perfect! I'm actually going to copy your approach almost exactly. The combination of getting medical documentation, setting up mail forwarding as backup, and specifically asking for a disability specialist seems like the winning formula based on everyone's success stories. One thing I learned from my mom's situation that might help: when you do get connected with the right SSA specialist, ask them if they can email or mail you a confirmation of your authorization once it's processed. Having that documentation in hand has saved me from having to re-explain the situation multiple times with different offices. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community support is incredible when you're trying to navigate these bureaucratic mazes! Sending positive thoughts to all the families dealing with these challenges. 💪

I'm so grateful I found this thread! I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation with my elderly grandfather right now. He's 91 and just moved to memory care, and I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get his Social Security mail redirected. The advice about the SSA-1696 form has been a revelation - I had no idea there was a specific SSA authorization form separate from regular POA documents. Like so many others here, I naively assumed his legal POA would be sufficient for a simple address change. What's been particularly helpful is reading about everyone's experiences with asking specifically for a "disability specialist" when calling SSA. I've been getting transferred around to different general representatives who all seem to give different information. Having that specific title to request should make a huge difference. I'm definitely going to follow the successful strategies outlined here: get medical documentation of his cognitive limitations, have forms notarized, set up mail forwarding as backup, and be persistent about finding the right SSA specialist who understands accommodation procedures. Thank you to everyone who shared their hard-won wisdom! It's both frustrating and comforting to know this is such a widespread problem. The bureaucratic maze is maddening, but seeing so many success stories gives me hope that persistence really does pay off. This community support has been invaluable - I feel so much more prepared to advocate effectively for my grandfather now! 🙏

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly frustrating situation! As someone who recently helped my own elderly mother navigate a similar SSA maze, I completely understand your exhaustion. The fact that SSA doesn't recognize standard POA documents is absolutely maddening when you're just trying to help your parents with basic administrative tasks. Reading through all the excellent advice here, I wanted to add one more strategy that worked for me: when you do get your SSA-1696 forms processed, ask the specialist to also set up online access for yourself to your parents' MySocialSecurity accounts. This allows you to handle routine tasks like address changes, benefit verification letters, and payment history requests without having to call or visit offices in the future. Also, since your parents are in assisted living, you might want to coordinate with their facility's mail handling procedures. Some facilities have specific requirements about how government mail should be addressed (like including the facility name along with the resident's name) to ensure proper delivery within the facility. Your persistence in advocating for your parents through this bureaucratic nightmare shows what an amazing daughter you are. The system shouldn't be this complicated, but you're doing everything right. Once you get through this initial setup process, managing their Social Security matters will be so much easier. Hang in there! 💪

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! I just went through something very similar with my elderly parents last month. The SSA's refusal to recognize standard POA documents is absolutely infuriating when you're just trying to help with basic tasks. Here's what finally worked for me after weeks of frustration: 1. **Get the SSA-1696 form** - This is SSA's specific authorization form that's separate from your legal POA. Both parents need to sign it while they're lucid. 2. **Request a "Representative Payee" evaluation** - Given your dad's dementia, this might actually be more appropriate than the SSA-1696. It's designed specifically for beneficiaries who can't manage their own affairs due to medical conditions. 3. **Call and ask for a "disability specialist"** - Don't waste time with general representatives. These specialists understand accommodation procedures for elderly clients with cognitive/mobility issues. 4. **Get medical documentation** - A brief letter from their doctor stating they have "limited mobility and cognitive impairment preventing complex administrative tasks" carries a lot of weight with SSA staff. The key is being persistent and finding the right person who actually knows the accommodation rules. Also, set up USPS mail forwarding immediately as a backup while you're working through the paperwork! You're doing an amazing job advocating for your parents. This system is unnecessarily complicated, but you WILL get through it! 💪