You may know someone who gets a monthly Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income payment and who also needs help managing their money. If someone you know needs help, the Social Security Administration can appoint a person or an organization to act as a “representative payee” responsible for receiving and managing a person’s benefits.
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) assigns a representative payee, they select someone who knows the beneficiary’s needs and can make decisions about how to best use their benefits for their care and wellbeing. Representative payees are responsible for completing an annual form to account for the benefit payments they receive and manage. They must complete this form and return it to Social Security by mail or, if they have a personal my Social Security account, they can file it online using the Representative Payee portal. Account holders can get a benefit verification letter and manage direct deposit and wage reporting for their beneficiaries.
Advance Designation
You also have the option to identify, in advance, up to three people you trust to serve as your future representative payee and help manage your benefits, if the need arises. This is called Advance Designation. The SSA offers Advance Designation to capable adults and emancipated minors who are applying for or already receiving Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Special Veterans Benefits. With Advance Designation, you and your family can enjoy peace of mind, knowing someone you trust may be appointed to manage your benefits.
Find more information about:
- Advance Designation.
- Representative Payees.
- Training videos on the duties of a representative payee.
- Publications about representative payees.
If you know someone who needs help managing their monthly benefits, please consider becoming a representative payee. You can also help by sharing this information with friends and family.
Source: By Stephen McGraw, Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications, Social Security Administration.
We hope this information is helpful to you in the important work you do as a family caregiver.
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