My husband has Alz. and I have POA. I was told by social security they do not recognize POA and said I should fill out forms for me to be the payee. I do not understand why I have to do this as we have a joint checking account where his SSI goes into and have not had any problems.
His brother CAN'T visit the SS office, so John went with his POA. They would not recognize it. John filled out paperwork making the nursing home his brother's payee because there are yearly forms that must be filled out showing that the money was actually spent on the recipient (his brother) and for nothing else. John didn't want to fill out the yearly forms (he's 86) so he made the nursing home payee.
His brother had just moved into a nursing home. The only thing we can figure out as to why it became an issue was either some correspondence from SSA was returned to sender, or nursing homes report to SSA when they get a new admission.
Anyhow, I'd say you encountered the same thing -- somehow they became aware he was infirm.
Then I was told to call back Medicare and ask the question again. I was told not to cancel him from my insurance since there could come a time when he might not be eligible for Medicaid and then I would have to prove he had previous insurance. Do not understand why SSI would tell me to be the payee. His check goes straight to the bank which is in both our names.
Call your health insurance company and let them know he is going on Medicaid, they can change his policy to be a Medicaid supplemental coverage. Actually I am surprised you are not also going on Medicaid.