The social security office will not honor a POA, which my husband completed naming me his power of attorney; they request that he complete a Form SSA-1696-U4 to appoint a representative who can discuss his case with SS customer service. I have recently received information about Medical Assistance from the State of PA, but they would not discuss my husband's case with me until the SS office had on file that I was an authorized representative. The problem is my husband is in Stage 6 Alzheimer's, and cannot sign his name. What should I do? Thank you for the advice. Sandy
The paperwork clarifies all of this.
The process was a little time consuming, and the examination and documentation for my LO cost about $300, but it has turned out to be a MAJOR benefit to me as her major caregiver.
For unfortunate and unpleasant “family reasons” I have been operating 100% strictly “by the book” since undertaking my loved one’s care, and the formal documentation has bought me enormous peace of mind.
If you decide to go this route, be sure that the examiner (psychiatrist, social worker, physician, etc.) knows why you need this and what your end goal is.
The fee of guardianship documentation was more costly and more complicated and required an appearance before a judge, but that wasn’t what we needed, and sounds like it’s not what you need either.
The very fact that he has advanced dementia and the statement that an expert has acknowledged that as his status will hopefully be all you need to move forward.
I was very wary of “signing for” her or attempting to use her hand to sign because of even the potential that such a solution might be questioned.
If you’re like I am, you’ll no doubt realize at some point or another that some of this stuff comes down to being nonsense, but this particular solution has served my LO well. When I took the certificate to my local SS Office, they actually chose the forms that would work best for our situation and filled them out for me.
Hope you are equally as fortunate.
By the way, I was told my POA was not used by SS at all.
GOOD LUCK!
I know I was able to be appointed as authorized representative for my brother-in-law who was unable to sign. I had his POA. It was not a major hurdle, because I don't remember any problems with it at all; so it must have been the process I just described.