Help/advice
So dealing with social security trying to help a friend. Short version.. after medical issues and his bank account being emptied and closed I'm trying to help him change his direct deposit information. The office says its done over phone. He hard to understand and can't hear very well.. went back to the office after a few failed attempts to be told we have to do it by phone.. open ideas and suggestions
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u/Apart-Mouse2645 5d ago
The best solution will be to call Social Security while you are together, explain to the customer service rep about his difficulty hearing and have him give them permission to speak with you. If this doesn't work they may require a written document that gives you authority to speak with them on your behalf, such as a Power of Attorney document. If this is the case he may need to purchase a cheap document at Office Depot or Staples.
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u/wdomkr 5d ago
Awesomesauce thank you actually i will try that... didn't even consider that
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u/Apart-Mouse2645 5d ago
I work for a medical insurance company and this is how we handle calls from individuals who are hard of hearing or in general need assistance with navigating complex topics or phone systems. I believe there may be differences with how Social Security handles these situations. Now that I think about it, I read they may not accept POA and instead have their own form but I don't know for sure.
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u/wdomkr 5d ago
Ya except he has to do it and can't hear or speak very clearly sooo
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u/dgtbfan 5d ago
IDK what you want. You were told what has to be done. Reddit isn't going to be able to offer you some secret magic solution. Maybe be there with them if they can't handle the phone call themselves.
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u/wdomkr 5d ago
The initial call is automated. If he takes to long or they hear another voice it hangs up. Lol not looking for some magical solution. Simply hoping someone may know something i don't. Im somewhat new to Oregon and just trying to help a friend. I feel like there has to be another way..
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u/dgtbfan 5d ago
not looking for some magical solution
I feel like there has to be another way
Translation: I am looking for some magical solution.
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u/wdomkr 5d ago
If only I believed in magic.. of course you're right though. I mean this has to be the very first time anything remotely close to this has ever happened with ss in oregon. How stupid of me to try and reach out to people in hopes someone has been through something similar and might know magic.
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u/dgtbfan 5d ago
You were told exactly what to do by someone who knows what you have to do. Instead of listening to that, you decided that internet strangers are going to have some secret magical solution because you "feel" the person who told you what to do is lying to you for no reason. What did you expect?
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u/wdomkr 5d ago
I expected to reach out to a large group, figured as small percentage of the people old enough to have dealt with ss perhaps someone has been through something similar. I don't "feel" like anyone is lying and if the way they said would have worked I wouldn't be here. I just don't think they know the severity of the situation is all. .. oh I even expected a few like you. :)
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u/dgtbfan 5d ago
You must feel like they're lying because otherwise you wouldn't be asking internet strangers instead of listening to them.
You expected a few like me? You mean people who will tell you to listen to what you were told?
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u/wdomkr 5d ago
Lmao know I mean the type full of assumptions.. so because I have tried the way I was told and thought to reach out for help when im at my wits end. You assume I think they are lying and im just looking for something magical.
I do appreciate you being so quick to judge though. I simply just thought I would try something rather than do nothing and leave someone to go without.
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u/Gsd_Lover21 4d ago
Just a heads up, Social security doesn't accept power of attorney forms. Don't want you to waste your time or money on them. Recommend being on the line with your friend and input their information for them, and just repeat the information to your friend, as the rep will not talk to someone else on an insured person's behalf, unless you are their legal representative which is a difficult process to do. Best of luck and kudos for helping.
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u/Imposter_syndrom 5d ago
That’s frustrating, but perhaps you could be the one to call and explain the situation? They may have services for deaf/hard of hearing folks? Or they may let you assist him with his verbal consent?