Elder law NY state, freezing bank account for elderly

Freezing bank account for elderly: My grandmother owes 18,000 in credit card debt because of me. I am an authorized user. Everything has been fine for 10 years, but recently I've had a 2nd back surgery and have been out of work for almost a year. I cannot pay the monthly amount on this card. Grandma has a savings account where her social security gets direct deposited each month and she then takes it out and pays her bills such as rent, heat, food etc. Our lawyer said not to worry about it because they cannot freeze her money as it is social security and she draws it out each month to pay bills. Our question is this: We've heard that they can take a "savings" account but not a checking account. Is this true? She is 81 and set in her ways and does not want to switch it over to a checking account as she will have to give the new number to social security and she is afraid they will mess it up and she wont get her money for rent...Help me ease her mind please :-(