I'm trying to get information from Social Security for my father. I am commissioned as his guardian.
I need this information to file taxes for him if needed and other financial information for the reports to be submitted to the court.
Thank you for your help.
1. Trying to call either the local or national number did not accomplish anything, rarely could speak to a person. (Agree with previous answer)
2. Go to your local office. Arrive 15 minutes before they open. At my local office, the security guard lines everyone up at a quarter til then starts filing in, SS persons help check you in asking your reason for visit.
3. The first visit they may just give you the forms needed, but it is worth it so you have the correct forms for your purpose.
4. As suggested, if possible take your father (with his ID and Ss card) with you. This may save a return visit.
Both times I’ve gone just before opening, I’ve been in and out in an hour.
Make copies for your own records.
Track all phone calls and visits to ss office w date and time.
You need to have a paper trail.
Gena / Touch Matters
Good luck!
Laurie
will answer in few minutes give advice /make appt etc/i learned this the hard way /but once able to start ssa pleasant efficient helpful
It will have a 2 factor set up so you will most likely use your cell or email address
Once established, there is a link on setting up represent representative payee. I have my own set up with a primary person and a back up person which is also allowed
https://www.ssa.gov/manage-benefits/get-tax-form-10991042s
You may need to become his Representative Payee:
https://www.ssa.gov/payee/
They also do not recognize POA. You may need to become Dads payee. Your Dads 1099, tax info, he should have received a couple of weeks back. Thats all you need to do his taxes. His Statement showing what he is getting for the coming year, he should have received already too. That is the only paperwork Social Security sends out. I have dealt with Medicaid and a government annuity and these two documents is all they ever ask for.
If Dad only gets SS and a pension, he may not need to file taxes if his pension does not exceed the cap set for income over and above SS. Had he filed before?
I really need some info. Is Dad living in a LTC facility? If so, is he on Medicaid? If on Medicaid, how do they receive his SS and any pension he gets? If they are Dads Payee, then they are receiving his 1099 and Statement. If you are sending the LTC his SS snd pension, then the documents were sent to the address in SS's system.
If Dad never set up an acct with SS (I didn't), then you maybe able to and then download these two documents. If he did, then u need to know his SS password.
If you have an attorney that is also someone good to ask. If you are guardian then you should be getting his accounts which will have how much his checks are when deposited to his accounts, if that's what you are looking for.
If you make a call to SS they may request your guardianship papers. You may need to make an appt. with their local offices. I actually had to go to SS myself, just showed in the office. That may be best as your wait time on the phone will be long, and without certain proof that you are guardian and medical letters as well, they cannot make you Representative Payee. Rep payee is likely where you are headed.
If you are acting as guardian for someone then your papers give you the right to legal advice, and because you are responsible for such meticulous records, then it is crucial that you get solid advice.
I don't know if Dad is at all capable of showing you where his records are now, discussing with you who did his taxes, and etc. But this information will almost certainly be somewhere at his own home, in his own mail, and you as guardian should be able to access.
Guardianship is difficult to manage and with more restrictions (almost everything goes before the court and only a court can excuse or dismiss a guardian who wants to quit; and almost no judge WILL dismiss. I would never take on guardianship, myself).
You should begin a search on Amazon for all the "guardianship for dummies" books you can find; that's sure how I managed at the beginning accumulating knowledge about POA and Trustee.
I would say it takes a solid year in terms of a learning curve. It's all horribly confusing and every entity wants something different. From banks to SS to Medicare to insurance companies to phone service companies they keep you twisting in the winds.
I would start with seeing an elder law attorney to establish working relationship and get pointers. An hour of time bought there is going to be invaluable.
Sorry you are having to maneuver all this. Expect a solid year of trauma and learning and arranging and being stuck on the phone. Once things are running smoothly they often keep that way.
I wish you the best of luck.