How to Help a Family Member Who Will Get Social Security Disability
I just got word that my brother got approved to get a monthly SS check based on his disability having Alzheimer's Disease.
However I have to go in with him so they can make a determination if he is capable of managing his own affairs and suspect they will want someone else to manage it. Being his only relative this
will be asked of me, however I am scared of what that means, and finding out a few years later they overpaid him and they come after me. And who knows what other responsibilities.
Can you point me towards any information on this topic? Can my brother appoint a non relative for a fee to do this?
We are in North Carolina, but he wants to go back to Texas to be near his son, and is divorcing his wife. The thought of him being that far away with no good support system is not desirable.
Thanks,
Re: Representing Someone Who Will Get Disability
Re: Representing Someone Who Will Get Disability
As long as you do not steal any money and do not lie about anything, nothing bad can happen to you for being a rep payee. If social security overpays him, they do not hold you responsible for that. It's important to tell the truth on all their forms, that's it :)
If he does not have someone to be his rep payee, social security can assign an agency, but.... many people hate being in this situation. The agencies take a fee for their services, and sometimes people wind up getting very little money and they don't understand where/what the agency is doing with their money.
There is no reason to be scared of being a rep payee, you could try it and if you do not want to keep doing it, then you can always change your mind.
Re: Representing Someone Who Will Get Disability
It will be up to you to be sure his living expenses and other expenses are paid. You will receive a form once a year so you can tell SSA how his money was spent.
If he is going to be in another state, it may be too difficult because it is best for him to not have direct access to his monthly benefits. But, you may be able to get a prepaid debit card where you can directly add money to the card after his monthy expenses are paid. This prepaid debit card is Not the same as the account his benefits are direct deposited into.