I have recently been named representative payee for an elderly aunt by the Social Security Administration. I have already been issued the first social security benefits check as representative payee. My aunt has recently been moved into assisted living in New Hampshire. I live and bank in New York City. I am having extreme difficulty in opening a representative payee account, as required, with my NYC bank (HSBC), as I can't produce my aunt and don't have photo ID of her with her new address (the facility). I have all the correspondence from the Social Security Administration designating me as her representative payee. I have my aunt's social security card, medicaid card and documentation from the facility that she is in residence there. As I can't open an account, I can't have access to the funds in the check which are earmarked for her monthly fees at the facility. My aunt has no other funds or assets and lives on her social security. How can I open an account to receive and manage her social security benefits? Time is of the essence and my bank is not helping me in the least.
It would be reasonable for a bank to accept the documentation you can produce, especially the bank where you currently maintain your accounts; however, there is no mandated standard to which your bank must adhere. It is free to set its own policies with regard to its standards for opening a representative payee account.
If you aren't successful in convincing HSBC to accept the account, look for another area bank that might have a different standard for opening such an account. Of course that won't be as convenient as using your current bank, but it may be your only option.
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It would be reasonable for a bank to accept the documentation you can produce, especially the bank where you currently maintain your accounts; however, there is no mandated standard to which your bank must adhere. It is free to set its own policies with regard to its standards for opening a representative payee account.