Has anyone had to deal with Social Security Administration and trying to get a parent's address changed to yours?

I did this a few years ago for my mom. I called the local SS office, explained the situation and then handed the phone to mom. She told them she wanted to change her mailing address and handed the phone back to me to give them the info. I am not interested in being the representative payee because that requires an annual report to SS about how the money was spent, and I don't need any more paperwork!

I just went through that last year. I simply filled out a change of address with Mom's name to my address, and I received everything. I didn't have to do anything with Social Security. Check with your post office for the form.

I do have the POA for my father, but it means NOTHING to social security. With all the new protection laws, you can not just change the address on-line like you use to be able to do. I called and thought that I could have the address changed, but I take care of all my dad's business, but I live 2 states away from him. The lady at the social security office asked if someone could bring him into the ss office, and that is so hard to do, the logistics alone. Getting him to a doctor, takes 2 people, my sister and brother (who live close to his assistant living facility) and take him to the doctor's said that they would take him, but getting him to his doctor's appointments are higher priority. We are lucky, my dad is private pay and his ss just goes into the bank. That is what you may have to do after you move. But, if all you are doing is changing the address, what I did was change the address with the post office on-line, and when they sent the confirmation that the address had been changed, I took a copy of the official United States Post Office postal address change and mailed it to the social security office, they got it and changed the address. If you have to have the facility stop getting social security checks, and set up direct deposit into your mom's bank, you need to take your mom into the local office and do that. It is the only way to stop the dance with this crazy problem.

I was able to get rep payee for my dad and it was a blessing. They basically asked if I was caring for him and I was honest it was long distance (frequent trips) as he was still in a nursing home - and that was all they needed. This was while my mom was in assisted living, hoping to get back home, but even then utterly unable to negotiate Medicaid or anything else for him. The nursing home itself tried to get rep payee instead of me but that would have meant my mom not having any of "his" income. We had a special rep payee account and only his SSI went in there, paid the difference for his medical costs, and a little of Mom's too. It was complicated, we actually had five accounts total to keep it all kosher. I'm not sure exactly how I did it, but I managed to keep it straight and keep the bills paid.

Yes, I agree with expresser... It was not so easy because of HIPPA (privacy) laws. I am my mother's primary POA; my brother is co-POA. Because of problems with delivery of our mail, we changed our delivery address to a PO Box. We had to get a letter from the doctor (neurologist) stating that our mom is incapable of making decisions and taking care of her business. I had to become her payee in order to change home address for Social Security and Medicare. Before changing her mailing address, we took care of her financial affairs. Our names are on her bank statements as POA, we have all her legal documents in order. HIPAA is making it harder for POAs and those who have the right to represent love ones with dementia. Sometimes, I feel that others can take advantage of her even though we have the legal right to represent her. It gets crazy... very frustrating.. So far we have managed.. but I wonder what other obstacles will we have in the future.

wow. what a range of results! everybody had a different experience it seems.

Oh yeah, you actually have to have a separate document making you healthcare POA. I kept copies wherever I went because sometimes people would not even want to tell me what meds Mom was on (or off) without it, or even with it. HIPAA gets overinterpreted ALL the time. Its a lot to deal with. I remember being surprised that having POA was neither necessary nor sufficient to make you rep payee, they did that totally differently. I guess I learned to roll with the punches and politely produce whatever documentation I needed to, and realize that most people were just trying to do their jobs (granted there were a few trying to use the paperwork or privacy issues to find excuses NOT to do their jobs, or just to be mean because they could...). Someone who cares about you and yours can find ways to make it work out, someone who cares only about covering their own tail end won't bother, but you just have to be as well-armed and informed as you can be and roll right over them when you need to.

I apologize for my rant back up the line here. Hopefully some actual info can be gleaned from my negative post. I could not take mom in with me to SS as she no long can speak and her incontinency can be a problem. I am simultaneously also dealing with my handicapped sister in another nursing home. Poor thing had encephalitis with the mumps at age 11 and besides the enlarged skull she lost the ability to walk. Through the years she was able to use a walker but her last fall left her unable to transfer herself. Its been hard dealing with two at the same time. Sometimes I find myself venting on these media sites and I apologize. Its all good friends. It certainly is a character builder and you know I wouldn't want to miss the blessings all these things bestow. God love all of you and don't miss your blessing.

They are restricted to sending information only to the client due to privacy laws. If you were her Guardian, they would send it to you. If the assisted living facility is receiving her funds, they are already the representative payee. You should see a lawyer, you don't want to jeopardize her benefits or living arrangements.

If your mother is fully competent, she can tell the Assisted Living place she is moving and can tell them she does not want her social security being taken by them anymore if that is how it is set up. She can go online and change her address, and she can also talk to social security rep to do what she wants have done. Guardianship, and such is reserved for those that are totally incapable of handling their own affairs due to physical restrictions or mental incapacity.