I receive only disability. APS recently came out to buy me groceries as I had run out. Am I expected to repay the cost out of my check?

I wouldn't worry, in that even if the state does decide there need to be changes it is almost always going to be cheaper and better to support your living independently than to nudge you into an institution of any sort; and nobody is going to challenge your right to benefits.

But your mother's 94, is she? I can imagine that a caseworker would be keen to get you established and get your finances operating independently of your mother's history. Isn't it a matter of looking ahead and planning for your security?

Of course I wouldn't know, but it sounds as though the APS caseworker got the wrong impression about what benefits you're receiving and how YOUR entitlement to them derives from HER contributions record. It's still your money, you're not taking any share of your mother's income. I think there must have been a misunderstanding somewhere, don't you?

The best way to move forward is to ring them up and ask. It's not unreasonable to want clarity on where you stand, and as the grocery bill is an immediate concern you could start with that (again I wouldn't know, but I'd be surprised if you were asked to repay it. Was it a lot, or just enough to tide you over?).

My opinion, I don't think the NH would or could take your check. For the reason, you are a disabled person. With your income, you cannot be held responsible for Moms care. You can't be made impoverished. So, the caseworker is wrong.

Your SSD is based on your Moms Social Security earnings not Medicare. Medicare is a health insurance. You receive Medicare and probably Medicaid because you are on SS disability.

Having Hulu and Netflix is cheaper than cable. In my nephews trust, I am allowed to pay for TV service and telephone service. Medicaid allows this so I don't know why a government agency can make you stop. Social Security is not a hand out, it was taken out of ur Moms payroll check. If you were gambling it away, thats one thing but TV is pretty much a need.

I would wonder if you need to let this women back in ur home. Maybe someone in the group can answer that. I would suggest that if its hard to make ends meet, try for SSI. This is Supplimental Security Income. This program is overlooked and like Medicaid you will probably need to fill out yearly forms. Your local Social Services should be where u start.

Call your local United way to see how they can help you with food. My Township has a couple of places you can get food. So try Churches.

I would think this caseworkers job would be helping you find food closets and resources. Not trying to control how you spend your money.

Hopefully, you realize that there is help with utilities. Office of Aging should have a list of resources in ur area. Being disabled you get the bus cheaper. Being on Medicaid you can get transportation and help care wise.

SSDI is not paid for by the state, it is federally funded.

In my state, APS would not come out to bring a bag of groceries. The person needing food would be mailed a grocery voucher or instructed to pick up voucher at county APS office or to visit a food bank. Some towns also have vouchers available at town halls.

SSDI, SS can be garnished by other government entities that are owed. Federal student loan debt, IRS debt and debts from other government agencies are considered super creditors can take payments from SS and SSDI. If money was owed to APS it could be taken to repay said debt. But it could not be taken to pay the nursing home directly.

Aid workers making home visits are always concerned when a recipient calls in saying they have no food or have disconnected utilities for nonpayment. They are immediately going to question how benefit checks are being spent.

Something about this story doesn't hang together...

APS can apply to become the OP's rep payee for her/his benefits. That's what I'd be worried about.

Not sure why an APS worker would think that NH would try to attach OP's SSDI.

Are you certain that this was an APS worker and not some scam artist?

Djteel, The NH can not take your SSDI away from you it is protected by the government...Period! The money comes from your State which is consider Government money...there are laws to protect the payee (you) from other Government Services from leaving a person with no means of survival. I hope I am making sense!

And I am very sorry to hear about your situation...no one should go hungry!

Hugs!!!

Adults who are considered disabled from childhood (prior to age 22) can receive disability benefits (SSDI) based on the parent's social security earnings record. Maybe the OP is confusing this with being on Mom's Medicare. In any case, children's income (no matter the source) couldn't be taken by a NH to pay for a parent. Someone may have reported the OP to APS as a vulnerable adult, hence the visit from the agent. I know very little about how APS operates, but I don't think bringing groceries is a normal procedure. Is it possible the agent came to do an investigation, saw the OP was in dire circumstances, and then went and got the groceries? Or perhaps they called first and found out about the food situation?

I agree with Worried. There seem to be holes in this story. Parts missing. Medicare is a personal health insurance. Everyone has their own. No one is tacked on to anyone else’s.

APS won’t arbitrarily send someone out with bags of groceries. An investigation would need to be done first. Forms would need to be filled out. Interviews done. Needs-based assessments analyzed.

Can you post post more details?

Why is your disability based off your
moms Medicare? Medicare is her insurance. And I would think it would be odd IF the nursing home tried to take your disability, not the other way around. As long as it’s your disability check and not your moms, the nursing home can’t take it. And I highly doubt they will try.

I wouldn’t expect further issues with APS unless there is more to the story. Why did they have to buy you groceries in first place? Who called them?