How can I stop APS form being my payee?

A dear friend of mine acquired guardianship for her alcoholic father after just too many 'incidents'--the worst being that he simply hoarded out his apartment and it got infested with vermin and he dropped a burning cigarette and started a fire. It was put out quickly, but did get him 'on the radar' and he was evicted. He lost EVERYTHING he had, but some clothes. I guess a fire is one way to end hoarding.

Friend just gave up trying to 'work with him'--she petitioned the courts and was given guardianship. SHE gets his SS, and pays his bills and shops for him, pays for the balance of his apartment out of her own pocket and doesn't give him enough cash to buy enough alcohol to last a month. In fact, she actually does random drug testing. He's been sober for a year now, but for my friend. it's like having another child--a 65 yo child. She said the only vice she'l support is his addiction to smoking, which she HATES, but he's lost so much, she says if his smokes are that important, she'll get them.

IDK how she works Dr's visits, etc., but she does it all.

In her case, the COURTS appt her as Payee. IDK if APS was involved or not. My guess would be yes, they were, at least initially.

Without the full story I really would hate to assume. I would think to be able to be payee there would have been a court hearing allowing someone to be your conservator/guardian. You would have been required to be at this meeting. The payee is responsible for making sure your bills are paid but they can give you money to pay for food and other needs you may have. I am payee for a goverment annity that abides by the same rules as SS. A payee is not suppose to impoverish you. You are entitled to your SS to pay for your needs that includes copays and doctor visits. Why is APS involved at all. Is it you or are you the caregiver asking these questions.

Your question is confusing to the point that I do not know if you have a payee or you think APS is going to take over and hasn't. You can call SS and ask if Payee has been filed for. I would think you would need to sign off unless its been found you are incompetent to do ur own finances.

Manny, APS isn't a Payee ever. They cannot manage the money for anyone. They can open an investigation, however, if you or others caring for you are abusing a system/or are incompetent to care for yourself. This would be a court action which you would participate in. They would then have a fiduciary appointed to manage your funds and your care. It sounds as though that is what has happened. If that has happened then this program will manage your money for your care and will see you have proper care and placement.
Can you tell us what problems you have with your current care and placement?

If APS is the payee for your disability payments you have been declared legally incompetent by the court. You have an appointed conservator because you cannot look after your own self or your money.
How to regain your own autonomy to where you will be in charge of your own funds is to petition the court to have your conservator removed. You will have to demonstrate to the judge and others that you are mentally competent and do not need a conservator to handle your affairs.