What SS form replaces Power of Attorney when someone becomes incapacitated?

You need to apply to be a Representative Payee. The form is SSA-11 (Request to Be Selected as Payee). Social Security requires this instead of a POA because they have specific obligations for people handling someone else's benefits. You'll need to visit your local office or call to start this process - they'll interview you and may require medical documentation of your father's incapacity. Once approved, you'll be responsible for using his benefits for his needs and reporting how funds were spent annually.

Went thru this with my mom. its a NIGHTMARE getting thru to anyone!!! took me like 4 calls and i kept getting hung up on after waiting forever

I became a representative payee for my aunt last year. You need form SSA-11 but they won't just let you mail it in - you need an interview too. They'll want to see your ID, your father's SS card, and medical documentation about his condition. They're really strict about this process since they've had problems with rep payees misusing funds in the past. It's not just a simple form submission.

This is called Representative Payee. My brother is on SSDI and I'm his payee. It's different than POA because you're specifically managing their SS benefits. You have to report how you spend the money every year and they can audit you.

UGHHH dealing with SS when a family member is incapacitated is SO HARD!! I've been trying to help my grandmother for THREE MONTHS and still can't get anywhere. Their phone system is useless - you wait for 2 hours then get disconnected. The offices are backed up for months. I feel your pain!!!!

If you're struggling to get through to the SSA by phone (which is very common right now), you might want to try using Claimyr. I found it at claimyr.com after weeks of trying to reach someone about my wife's benefits. It basically calls SSA for you and then calls you when an agent is on the line. Saved me hours of hold time. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU For the Representative Payee application, you'll still need to complete the process in person eventually, but at least you can get your questions answered and potentially schedule an appointment without the endless hold times.

My neighbor said she had to visit the office in person to sort this out. Apparently SS is really strict about who can access someone else's benefits and they want to see you face to face.

One important thing to know: Representative Payee status is different from having authority to handle other Social Security matters like appeals or reporting changes. If you need broader authority, there's another option called "Appointed Representative" (Form SSA-1696) that allows you to represent someone for claims and appeals. But for managing the actual benefit payments, Representative Payee (SSA-11) is what you need.