Are You A Representative Payee?

The Social Security Administration (SSA), can appoint a relative, friend, or other interested party to serve as the “representative payee.”

They thoroughly investigate those who apply to be representative payees to protect the interests of Social Security beneficiaries. This is because a representative payee receives the beneficiary’s payments and is given the authority to use them on the beneficiary’s behalf.

If you agree to serve as a representative payee, you’ve taken on an important responsibility that can make a positive difference in the beneficiary’s life.

With certain exceptions, a payee may not collect a fee for services provided to the beneficiary. You can’t collect a fee for services from the beneficiary, unless Social Security allows it, or you’re the legal guardian authorized by a court to charge a guardian.

A special note, about children who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments If you’re a payee for a child receiving SSI payments, you must seek treatment for the child’s medical condition when it’s necessary. If you don’t get medical treatment for the child, they may appoint a new representative payee.

A Protection and Advocacy agency in your state may also contact you to review your receipts and records of income and expenses. As a representative payee, you’ll also need to tell us about changes that may affect the beneficiary’s eligibility. To view a list of things you need to inform us about, see our “Changes to report” section.

You may not take a fee from the beneficiary for your services as a representative payee.

Sited:https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10076.pdf