How to reimburse myself for small day-to-day expenses from my Mom's checking account that is kosher with Medi-Cal?

I would use her credit card. I did, in fact. I kept no records because #1 I had my mom's permission and #2 my main and only concern was helping her survive. She was living at home alone with Alzheimer's. We later got 24 hour aides through medicaid. Both were a nightmare. After she went into a nursing home and they began to get her social security check, she was forced to default on them anyway. How sad, for a woman who had been honest and paid her bills all her life, even doubling up on payments attempting to pay them off, which would never happen. But yes, use her cards. If you have POA like I do, it's legal to "act" as her.

Thank you so much for these suggestions. She lives in Los Angeles. I can wheel her out of the facility, and hoping to wheel her to a local fast food place soon. She still has a credit card, so using that for everything i can now and for all else will keep receipts as mentioned. Sounds like gotta run it like a small business that is under constant audit. Thanks again for all these very, very helpful suggestions... really appreciate it!

Checking accounts come with an ATM card. Use that to purchase cell phone cards, etc. When going to the market, get cash back to reimburse gas money, etc.
Keep records. Don't get too much cash each time, maybe $20.00 can get lunch for you both. Does she get to go out of the nursing home?

if I was you I would call her worker for medical supervisor and ask her how to do this and what kind of proof you need.......that way you are following their rules logic does not always work. Also you could contact the district manager with this question. What county are you in?

One thing I would add is make copies of all receipts you can put several on a page, I use my scanner then staple originals to the copy. The reason for this is the thermal paper used for priniting receipts makes the ink fade and about 1 year from now the receipts will be mostly blank. I worked at Tax office for several years and saw many clients frantic when faced with an audit and their receipts literally disappeared. This is a good practice for anyone who needs to proved purchases. You can also buy a machine that allows you to scan receipts into your computer, not sure the cost. Always have a back up is my motto.And gifting is a problem so watch out for that. Ruth

I would agree with all the above keep meticulous records and save all receipts. i would not expect gifs and tithing to be allowable and as you probably know there are special rates for medical miles so keep a notebook in the car and note odometer readings for all trips. I don't know anything about medical but these are just usual business practices.

I use Moms small pension for her monthly exxpenses. I keep receipts and attach them to the check stub. What I can't get receipts for like a hair cut, I write down the date and amount. We pay for meals out. If she has money left at the end of the month, she will treat a dinner.

Keep receipts! As long as the transfers can be associated with a receipt, fine. No receipt, then it becomes a big mess.

I charge as much as possible to my mom's credit card and pay for it with her money. I am keeping all receipts, but for large expenditures that I pay for, I pay myself back by transferring the exact amount from my mom's account to mine.

This is what I would have said. No problem reinbursing yourself. The one problem that I see is gift giving. Not sure if this is a no no when spending down money. Same thing with tithing? Anyone out there know?

Keep meticulous records. Also keeping 2 checkbooks might help. One for your mom and one that has just your expenses in them (even though you don't write checks the money still comes out of the account). Your checkbook will include expenses that you don't write checks for like take-out, cell minutes, and small gifts for friends. For each expense you put in this 2nd checkbook have a corresponding receipt. Once a month (or however long you'd like) either deduct the money your mom owes you or write yourself a check. Do it on a regular basis (once a month, once every 2 months...whatever) for clarity and convenience.