I Need to Manage Someone Else’s Money
Someone may need help paying bills, using a bank account, dealing with insurance, or keeping up with benefits.
Helping with the work doesn’t automatically give you legal authority to control the money.
Find Out What the Person Can Still Do
If they can understand the decision, involve them. They may need help opening mail, making calls, writing checks, setting up automatic payments, or watching for fraud, without giving someone else control of everything.
If someone else needs to act for them, find out what authority is already in place.
Look for:
- a financial power of attorney
- a bank or credit union arrangement that allows someone else to help
- a Social Security representative payee
- a VA fiduciary
- a court order naming a guardian, conservator, or similar financial decision-maker
The names and powers of these arrangements vary. Authority to make medical decisions usually doesn’t give you authority over someone’s money.
If There’s a Financial Power of Attorney
Read it before you try to use it.
Look for:
- who was named
- when the authority begins
- what financial matters it covers
- whether a successor was named
- any limits on what you can do
Then contact the bank, insurer, landlord, creditor, or other organization and ask what they need before they’ll recognize it.
Say:
“I have a financial power of attorney for [name]. What do you need from me before I can act for them?”
Don’t hand over the only original unless you know it’ll be returned.
If a bank suggests adding you to the account as a joint owner, slow down. That can make you a legal owner of the money and may affect inheritance, benefits, or creditor claims. Ask whether they offer a way to add you as an agent or authorized signer instead.
A power of attorney ends when the person dies. After a death, see I Need Help With Money and Bills After a Death →
If There’s No Financial Power of Attorney
If the person can still understand what they’re signing and what authority they’re giving, they may still be able to make one. Don’t wait for a crisis to ask.
If the person can no longer make that decision, someone else generally can’t create a power of attorney for them.
That doesn’t automatically mean guardianship is the next step. Ask whether a less restrictive option can solve the specific problem first. The right option depends on what needs to be done and what authority is missing.
See I Need Legal Help → to understand the options in your state.
Social Security Is Different
A financial power of attorney doesn’t make someone a Social Security representative payee.
If a person can’t manage their Social Security or SSI payments, the Social Security Administration decides whether a representative payee is needed and who will serve. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or contact your local office to start.
The payee must use the benefits for the person and keep records of how the money is used.
While they still can, a person who gets Social Security can name in advance who they’d want as their payee if one is ever needed.
VA Benefits Are Different Too
The VA has its own fiduciary process when a beneficiary can’t manage VA benefits. A financial power of attorney doesn’t make someone the VA fiduciary.
A VA fiduciary manages VA benefit payments, not the person’s other money unless they have separate legal authority to do that.
Call the VA Fiduciary Program at 888-407-0144 and ask what needs to happen next. For other VA benefits questions, see I Need Help With VA Benefits, Claims, or Family Coverage →
If You’re Already Handling the Money
Keep the person’s money separate from your own.
Keep records. Save statements, receipts, bills, and notes about larger decisions.
Use the money for the person’s benefit and within the authority you were given.
Don’t give yourself gifts, loans, payment, or access to money just because you’re helping. Whether any of that is allowed depends on your authority and, sometimes, state law.
If the Bank Says No
Ask why.
Say:
“Is the problem with this document, or is there another form or review your bank requires?”
Ask who can review the decision and what they need from you.
If the bank won’t accept a power of attorney, don’t assume the document is invalid. Bank procedures and state laws differ.
If money, housing, insurance, or care could be affected while this is sorted out, say so clearly.
Say:
“A bill has to be paid by [date]. What can be done while this is being reviewed?”
If You’re Worried Someone Is Taking the Money
Don’t treat it as a paperwork problem.
Unexpected withdrawals, new names on accounts, missing checks, unpaid bills despite available money, sudden changes to beneficiaries, or someone pressuring the person for money can be signs of exploitation.
For suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, see I Think Someone Is Being Abused, Neglected, or Exploited →
Before You Rely on the Plan
Make sure you know:
- who has authority
- what that authority covers
- which organizations have accepted it
- which bills or benefits still need attention
- where financial records are kept
- who will notice if something stops getting paid
Helpful Resources
How Social Security chooses and works with someone who manages another person’s Social Security or SSI benefits.
Information about managing VA benefits for someone who can’t manage them independently.
Learn More
Plain-language guides for people acting under a power of attorney, or as guardians, trustees, or benefit fiduciaries.