Area II Agency on Aging serves as a Representative Payee for clients deemed by the Social Security Administration to be in need of help managing their money and who do not have friends or relatives able to serve in this capacity.

Representative Payee’s Responsibilities

The Representative Payee receives Social Security payments on a beneficiary’s behalf and must use the money to pay current needs, which include: housing and utilities, food, medical and dental expenses, personal care items, clothing, and rehabilitation expenses if needed. After these expenses are paid, the Payee can use the rest of the money to pay past debts, use the money to help support dependents, provide entertainment to the beneficiary and, if there is enough left over, save it.

Accurate records must be kept and are submitted to Social Security regularly. Beneficiary’s also can receive this information.

Beneficiary’s Responsibilities

Certain conditions such as moving, marriage, going to work, hospitalization, etc., can affect a beneficiary’s Social Security payment and if any of these conditions occur, the Representative Payee must be notified. Failure to report can lead to a beneficiary being paid more than what is due, resulting in payments having to be paid back or future payments being stopped.

Who makes the decision regarding Representative Payees?

The Social Security Administration makes the decision whether or not a beneficiary requires a Representative Payee. This decision is usually based on information they have received that indicates a beneficiary needs help in managing their funds to meet their current needs. This decision can be appealed.

Questions?

Area II Agency on Aging can answer questions about the Representative Payee program or you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. MST on business days. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call their toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. MST also on business days. Their website is www.socialsecurity.gov.