I am my father's Social Security representative. Does that make him my dependent?

The term "dependent" can mean different things, but when filing income taxes, a person is your dependent if you provide more than half of the person's support, among other requirements. See www.irs.gov Publication 17 for more details on all the requirements.

You should call Social Security and ask that question. My guess is that your father's social security income is his, not yours. It's just being sent to you because he is not able to handle his financial affairs on his own. Because you are acting on his behalf does not make him your dependent. There are very strict rules about claiming a parent as a dependent and I think you can search that out on this website or just online.

No, it doesn't make him your dependent. I am the representative payee for my son who is receives SSI. As a representative payee, you agree to oversee and make sure the money is being spent on whatever your father needs. You will be responsible for filling out an annual report that tells Social Security how the money has been spent for the year.

When a rep payee is appointed, it means that the recipient is not considered able to handle his own funds appropriately. The funds need to be spent on things like your father's housing, clothing and food.