What Is A Social Security Representative Payee?
What Is A Social Security Representative Payee?
The payee is typically a relative or close friend of the beneficiary needing assistance, but Social Security can also name an organization or institution for the role. (Examples include nursing homes and social-service agencies.) Anyone applying for or receiving benefits may someone they would like to serve as their payee if the need arises. Among a , payees must: Use the beneficiary’s Social Security or SSI payments to meet his or her essential needs, such as food, shelter, household bills and medical care. The money can also be used for personal needs like clothing and recreation. Keep any remaining money from benefit payments in an interest-bearing bank account or savings bonds for the beneficiary's future needs. Keep records of benefit payments received and how the money was spent or saved. Report to Social Security any changes or events that could affect the beneficiary's payments (for example, a move, marriage, divorce or ). Report any circumstances that affect the payee’s ability to serve in the role. As a representative payee, you can’t mingle the beneficiary’s Social Security payments with your own money or use them for your own needs. The bank account into which should be fully owned by the beneficiary, with the payee listed as financial agent. Some payees, generally those who do not live with the beneficiary, are required to to Social Security accounting for how benefits are used. You’ll find more on the responsibilities and restrictions that come with the role in the Social Security publication If you believe someone you know may need a representative payee, call Social Security's national customer service line (800-772-1213) or and make an appointment to discuss the matter. Applying to serve as a payee usually requires a face-to-face interview. Social Security may consider other evidence in deciding if a beneficiary needs a payee and selecting the person to fill the role, including doctors’ assessments and statements from relatives, friends and others in a position to give an informed opinion about the beneficiary’s situation.
Keep in mind Individuals cannot collect a fee for serving as a representative payee. Some organizations that serve in the role do receive fees, paid out of the beneficiary’s Social Security or SSI payments. Having or being an authorized representative does not confer authority to manage someone’s Social Security benefits. Only a representative payee can do so. Updated April 8, 2022
What is a representative payee
A representative payee is a person or entity appointed by Social Security to manage benefit payments for someone unable to do so on their own — for example, a minor child, a severely disabled person or a retiree suffering from advanced dementia. As of December 2020, the most recent data available, about 5 million Social Security recipients — 7.7 percent of the beneficiary population — had representative payees, including: 1.4 million retired or disabled workers and their spouses, widows or widowers. 3.6 million children, a figure that includes people over 18 who have been disabled since childhood. Representative payees also handle benefits for more than 2.9 million recipients of (SSI), a Social Security–administered benefit program for low-income people who are over 65, blind or disabled. (Some beneficiaries collect both SSI and Social Security payments.)The payee is typically a relative or close friend of the beneficiary needing assistance, but Social Security can also name an organization or institution for the role. (Examples include nursing homes and social-service agencies.) Anyone applying for or receiving benefits may someone they would like to serve as their payee if the need arises. Among a , payees must: Use the beneficiary’s Social Security or SSI payments to meet his or her essential needs, such as food, shelter, household bills and medical care. The money can also be used for personal needs like clothing and recreation. Keep any remaining money from benefit payments in an interest-bearing bank account or savings bonds for the beneficiary's future needs. Keep records of benefit payments received and how the money was spent or saved. Report to Social Security any changes or events that could affect the beneficiary's payments (for example, a move, marriage, divorce or ). Report any circumstances that affect the payee’s ability to serve in the role. As a representative payee, you can’t mingle the beneficiary’s Social Security payments with your own money or use them for your own needs. The bank account into which should be fully owned by the beneficiary, with the payee listed as financial agent. Some payees, generally those who do not live with the beneficiary, are required to to Social Security accounting for how benefits are used. You’ll find more on the responsibilities and restrictions that come with the role in the Social Security publication If you believe someone you know may need a representative payee, call Social Security's national customer service line (800-772-1213) or and make an appointment to discuss the matter. Applying to serve as a payee usually requires a face-to-face interview. Social Security may consider other evidence in deciding if a beneficiary needs a payee and selecting the person to fill the role, including doctors’ assessments and statements from relatives, friends and others in a position to give an informed opinion about the beneficiary’s situation.
Keep in mind Individuals cannot collect a fee for serving as a representative payee. Some organizations that serve in the role do receive fees, paid out of the beneficiary’s Social Security or SSI payments. Having or being an authorized representative does not confer authority to manage someone’s Social Security benefits. Only a representative payee can do so. Updated April 8, 2022