Description:What is the Representative Payee Program?
The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Representative Payee Payment Program provides assistance to the young, elderly, and people with disabilities who have difficulty managing their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
For some individuals, traditional networks of support such as responsible family or friends are not available. In that case, Representative Payees can help individuals manage and budget their benefits.
What is a Representative Payee?
Our Representative Payees are appointed by SSA to receive Social Security and/or SSI benefits for individuals who are unable to manage or direct someone else to manage his or her money.
The main responsibilities of our Representative Payees are to:
•use the individual’s benefits to pay for his or her current and foreseeable needs
•properly save any benefits not needed to meet current needs
What does a Representative Payee do?
You will work with an ARISE Representative Payee to create a monthly budget. Together you will complete a monthly voucher that itemizes expenses that will be covered. Basic living expenses, such as food, shelter, and utilities must always be paid first. Other needs include:
•medical and dental expenses
•personal care items
•clothing
•rehabilitation expenses (if you have a disability)
After those expenses are paid, your Payee can use the rest of the money to pay any past-due bills you may have, support your dependents, or provide entertainment funds for you. If there is money left over, your Payee will save it for you.
Your Payee will keep accurate records of your payments and how they are spent. Your Payee will also regularly report that information to Social Security and share it with you.
It is our goal to work with you so that, if possible, you can become financially responsible and ultimately take full, direct control of your benefits.