DH just got a letter from VA stating that since they had declared him incompetent they were going to appoint a fiduciary to manage his check. I called and explained I had a POA that mentions that he wanted me to deposit his check and spent it as I see fit when he can no longer do this himself. They said they do not recognize a POA. How can this be? Just another fly in the soup to watch out for.
neither does medicare from what i have read. seems its futile to have one at times! i would THINK they would appoint a fiduciary which would be his closest kin, YOU his wife! better get more answers. divvi
No, for some reason SSA doesn't recognize POA. Always thought that was dumb. With SSA you can file to be the Representative Payee. Can you also do that for VA?
I simply write "for deposit" on the back of John's VA disability check and deposit it right into our farm credit payment account (forget what its called) that is still in both our names.......trying to figure out how to get this one in my name only. Another of my legal hang-ups.
SSA made me Representative Payee for Dh when he went on Disability. nI think certuin categories of disability cause this to happen automatically. When they switched him to SS retirement, they left it the same.
I went through this when my dh was determined 100% service connected disabled by the VA. It took a while for me to be "interviewed" but it was obvious to see DHs condition and the interviewer said it would take 4-6 weeks after the interview to get the checks!! Eventually, everything worked out. He was approved in April and we saw no money till August. Hope it goes better for you.
When DH was approved for SSDI the SSA told us I should file to become Rep Payee. I told them the checks go into a joint savings account and they accepted that. It's so much less hassle. I didn't want to bother with the yearly payee accounting forms they insist be done in Rep Payee cases.
There is a long discussion on the pros and cons of being formally named Rep Payee on another thread--I can't remember its name, but anyone who is really interested should search for it.
Faye, I'm the fiduciary for my husband's VA check. Our rep told me that they will always grant the spouse as fiduciary unless there is a good reason not too. It just takes a little time and formality for it to all go in place.
We have a VA office at our county court house. The rep there helps me fill out the papers, etc. You might check and see if one is in your county. Also there should be a case worker/social worker at the VA clinic you take him too.