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Social Security & Medicare Questions Q: My mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and is starting to have problems managing her money. She continues to receive checks, but I'm concerned she will lose them. What can I do? A: Consider having yourself or someone you trust appointed a "representative payee." A representative payee receives Social Security payments and is required to use them to meet the beneficiary's needs. The representative payee may specify direct deposit of your mother's benefit check, eliminating the chance of loss. A person who has "power of attorney" for someone may be a good choice to act as a representative payee, but he or she is not automatically qualified, they must apply. The Social Security Administration reviews applications and selects the payee. Social Security regulations give preference to family members over friends, third parties, and professional organizations that act as representative payees. For more information contact Social Security's Toll-Free Number at (800) 772-1213. This article first appeared in Volume 6, Issue 2 of "The Social Security and Medicare Advisor" newsletter (December/January/2001). To receive future editions of "The Advisor" in its special, free e-mail version, please click here. | ||||||||
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