<prompt> Human: So, this older lady that lives near the grocery store I work at wants me to be her payee because her meth addicted neice keeps stealing all her money. The lady well call her Deb is of no relation to me, I only know her through my place of employment where she shops. Deb asked me recently if I would be her payee for her social security benefits, and it would simplify her life and mine I hope immensely if I did. Get gets approx 800 a month in benefits and would use it all herself to pay bills and get groceries etc. She just needs my help to be a payee since she cant be her own? I dont understand that part but thats why Im here. Currently she is jumping through all sorts of crazy hoops to get money off her cards before her other family can get it. Would it be a terrible idea for me to be her payee and get her money off the card for her? Would it change my taxes or cause me grief later? From what little I can find, since its not my money it wont count as income for tax purposes but that may not be the case. I live in Virginia, USA if that helps or matters. Help me people better at life, youre my only hope.  <response>: You should reach out to APS and SSA to let them know that one or more people may be financially abusing an elder and misappropriating funds. Representative payees have to use the money for the benefit of the person who is getting the benefits. 