How does SNF access the SS income?

The SS gets direct deposited into the same checking account my elder had for years. I write a check to the nursing home every month for the amount of the SS minus the $50 she's allowed to keep every month. She's on Medicaid, so this is her "patient liability" that she owes per month.

If you have control of the account that SS is transferred to, you write a check every month. I chose to allow the NH to become payee and they received the payment directly.

When my mother required NH care the business manager there filled out all info and financials. Mom’s SS went directly to the NH for her care almost from the start