The person who wants to be the representative payee (applicant) must apply to SSA The United States Social Security Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits. To qualify for most of these benefits, most workers pay Social …Social Security Administration
Full Answer
How do you become a representative payee?
What are the Responsibilities and Restrictions?
- Day-to-Day. How representative payees handle money for beneficiaries is based on the beneficiaries’ essential needs before anything else.
- Financial. Representative payees must hold and save the beneficiaries’ funds in a specific manner. ...
- Other Duties. ...
- Restrictions. ...
How to change representative payee for SSA?
- a relative living in the same household as the beneficiary;
- the beneficiary’s legal guardian or legal representative;
- a facility licensed or certified as a care facility under State or local law;
- a qualified organization authorized to collect a fee for performing rep payee services for the beneficiary;
How do you become a social security payee?
You must complete form SSA-11 (Request to be selected as payee) and show us documents to prove your identity. You will need to provide your social security number, or if you represent an organization, the organization's employer identification number.
How to apply for payee representative program?
- Natural or adoptive parents of a minor child beneficiary who primarily reside in the same household as the child;
- Legal guardians of a minor child beneficiary who primarily reside in the same household as the child;
- Natural or adoptive parents of a disabled adult beneficiary who primarily reside in the same household with the beneficiary; and
How do you become a representative payee for Social Security?
How Do I Apply to be a Representative Payee? Contact the Social Security office nearest you to apply to be a payee. You must complete form SSA-11 (Request to be selected as payee) and show us documents to prove your identity.
How do I set up a representative payee account?
To open a representative payee checking account, you'll need to choose a local bank with the most favorable terms (no monthly account fees, a free first set of checks, etc.). You may wish to call the bank ahead of time to make an appointment and to inquire as to the documentation needed to open the account.
Can a family member be a payee for Social Security?
It may be a family member, a friend, a legal guardian or a lawyer. Sometimes, however, social service agencies, nursing homes or other organizations offer to serve as payees. If there's someone you would like to have as your payee, you can tell a Social Security representative and we will consider your request.
How much does it cost to have a payee for Social Security?
Fees. Effective December 2018 (the increase may be collected from the January benefit check), the monthly fee for payee services is the lesser of: 10% of the beneficiary monthly benefit amount or. $43.00.
What disqualifies you from being a payee?
REMEMBER: The Social Security Act prohibits anyone from serving as payee if he or she was ever convicted of a violation under section 208, 811, or 1632(a). This prohibition is permanent; that is, if an individual was ever convicted under one of these statutes, he or she is barred from serving as payee for life.
Can you change Social Security payee online?
Individual payees who are 18 or older can complete it online by logging in to their my Social Security account. State mental institutions that participate in our onsite review program also do not have to file an annual Representative Payee Report.
Can a payee go to jail?
Payees are required to spend the beneficiary's money only on the payee's medical needs and personal expenditures. If a representative is caught misusing a beneficiary's funds, he or she will not only have to repay the beneficiary, but also face fines and even imprisonment if found guilty.
Who is the owner of a representative payee account?
A representative payee bank account is an account used by an appointed person or organization to manage the finances of a Social Security beneficiary. Representative payees are chosen by the Social Security Administration to administer the account for a beneficiary—usually an older or disabled person.
Does SSI track your spending?
A special note about SSI payments We don't count all resources. However, some items you buy could cause the recipient to lose their SSI payments. Any money you don't spend could also count as a resource.
Does a representative payee file taxes?
If a levy is received for an individual who is receiving benefits on behalf of someone else as a representative payee, it will be returned to the IRS.
Does Social Security recognize power of attorney?
No. The Social Security Administration does not recognize power of attorney as conferring authority to manage another person's benefits.
What are the responsibilities of a payee?
The main responsibilities of a payee are to use the benefits to pay for the current and foreseeable needs of the beneficiary and properly save any benefits not needed to meet current needs. A payee must also keep records of expenses.
When People Need Help Managing Their Money
Social Security's Representative Payment Program provides benefit payment management for our beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. We appoint a suitable representative payee (payee) who manages the payments on behalf of the beneficiaries.
Representative Payee
Social Security's Representative Payment Program provides benefit payment management for our beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. We appoint a suitable representative payee (payee) who manages the payments on behalf of the beneficiaries.
What is the number to call for Social Security?
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on business days or call your local Social Security office between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on business days. You also can visit us on the Internet at www.socialsecurity.gov.
How much money can I have on my SSI?
If you receive SSI, you cannot have more than $2,000 in cash and property (other than your home and car). You must spend your back payment within six months so that your total resources are below $2,000. If you don't you may receive more than you are supposed to and your SSI payments may stop.
What can you use the rest of your disability money for?
rehabilitation expenses (if you're disabled). 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 for you. If there is money left over, your payee should save it for you.
What do you use your payee's money for?
Your payee receives your payments on your behalf and must use the money to pay for your current needs, which include: housing and utilities; food; medical and dental expenses; personal care items; clothing; and. rehabilitation expenses (if you're disabled).
How long do you have to appeal a Social Security decision?
If you don't agree that you need a payee, or if you want a different payee, you have 60 days to appeal that decision by sending us a letter. If you're already receiving Social Security benefits and have a payee, you can ask someone else to be your payee.
What can I use my unemployment back payment for?
The rest of the money can be used to pay for medical services, your education, improvements to your home or your debts. If your back payment is for more than one year of benefits, your benefits will be sent to you in several small payments.
How to get money from another source?
get married; get money from another source; take a trip outside the United States; go to jail or prison; are admitted to a hospital; save any money; apply for help from a welfare department or other government agency; and. are no longer disabled, if your benefits are based on a disability.
What is a representative payee?
A representative payee is a person or an organization. We appoint a payee to receive the Social Security or SSI benefits for anyone who can’t manage or direct the management of his or her benefits. . A payee’s main duties are to use the benefits to pay for the current and future needs of the beneficiary, and properly save any benefits not needed ...
What is a payee in social services?
A community based, nonprofit social service organization, bonded and licensed in the state in which it serves as payee, or. A state or local government agency responsible for income maintenance, social service, health care, or fiduciary duties, and. Regularly serves as a payee for at least five beneficiaries, and.
What is the law regarding Social Security?
Social Security law and regulations require payees to use the payments they receive for the current needs of the beneficiary and in their best interests. While serving as a representative payee, we encourage you to go beyond just managing payments and be actively involved in the beneficiary’s life.
What is a beneficiary in Social Security?
A beneficiary is a person who receives Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Social Security and SSI are two different programs. we administer both. Who Needs a Representative Payee? The law requires most minor children and all legally incompetent adults to have payees.
How long do you have to spend your back pay?
You should spend the back payment within 9 months so that his or her total resources are below $2000 ($3000 for a couple). If you don't spend the money within 9 months after the month of receipt, an overpayment may occur and benefits may stop if countable resources exceed the $2000 ($3000) threshold.
What to do with money left after meeting the beneficiary's current needs?
Save any money left after meeting the beneficiary’s current needs in an interest bearing account or savings bonds for the beneficiary's future needs ; Report any changes or events which could affect the beneficiary's eligibility for payments; Keep records of all payments received and how you spent and saved them;
What is a power of attorney?
Power of attorney is a legal process where one individual grants a third party the authority to transact certain business for that individual. It does not lessen the rights of the individual and does not usually grant the third party the right to manage the individual's assets.
What is representative payee?
A representative payee is a person, agency, organization or institution we select to manage your benefits when we determine that you are unable to do so yourself or direct others to do it for you.
Who is responsible for reporting changes in your circumstances that could affect your eligibility to benefits?
Your representative payee is responsible for reporting to us any changes in your circumstances that could affect your eligibility to benefits (income, resources, change of address, living arrangements, return to work, etc.). You or your representative payee may, at any time, request that we change or terminate the payee arrangement.
Who is not listed as a representative payee?
Anybody else who is not listed but is qualified and able to act as representative payee. If the recipient with disabilities suffers from a substance abuse, SSA makes an effort not to appoint a representative payee who will encourage or enable the beneficiary’s continued abuse of alcohol or drugs.
How much money do I need to qualify for SSI?
To qualify for SSI, individuals must have assets that are worth less than $2,000, excluding a house and a car. Once SSDI or SSI benefits are approved, SSA will review the application to determine if the beneficiary can handle his or her cash benefit.
What is a report on SSA?
Report any change in circumstances that may affect the beneficiary’s entitlement or amount of payment, Act on behalf of the beneficiary for matters relating to any claim for benefits, Notify SSA if the representative payee believes that the recipient no longer needs a representative payee, and.
What happens if SSA determines that the beneficiary cannot handle the cash benefit?
If SSA determines that the beneficiary cannot handle the cash benefit, SSA will designate a representative payee to receive the monthly income and manage the funds on behalf of the beneficiary. SSA does not recognize powers of attorney or guardians appointed in state court.
What is the primary government benefit that provides income to people with disabilities?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) disability program is the primary government benefit that provides income to people with disabilities. If individuals with a disability are unable to work and have paid into the social security system, they may receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Does a beneficiary need a representative payee?
Whether or not a social security beneficiary needs a representative payee is a decision made by SSA based on the beneficiary’s abilities. SSA presumes that every adult beneficiary can handle his or her social security check, unless there is evidence otherwise.
Do you have to have a separate bank account for SSDI?
It is important for the representative payee to have a separate bank account for the deposit of the monthly SSI or SSDI check. Other funds should not be co-mingled with this account and only the representative payee should be a signer on the account.
How to become a Social Security representative for a friend?
If you are interested in becoming a Social Security representative payee for a friend or family member, you must fill out an application, Form SSA-11, Request to Be Selected as a Payee. You will need to explain why you think the disabled person can't manage their income and you will need to provide your own Social Security number.
What is a representative payee?
A social security representative payee helps disabled individuals manage their benefits. About 10% of all Social Security recipients use a representative payee to help in managing their financial affairs.
What happens if a beneficiary receives too much money from the SSA?
Finally, if the payee realizes that the beneficiary has mistakenly received too much money from the SSA, the payee should contact the SSA and return it, or face fines and penalties.
What does a payee have to do?
What Does the Payee Have to Do? A representative payee must spend the disability benefits appropriately for the disabled person's needs, must properly account for the money spent, and must report certain changes in the life or living situation of the disabled person (the "beneficiary") to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Who does the SSA choose to send disability checks to?
The SSA will help select and investigate a potential representative payee, and then will begin sending the disabled person's Social Security disability benefit checks to the representative payee . The SSA prefers to choose someone who lives with the disabled person who knows what their needs are, such as a parent or other family member.
Can a social service agency collect a fee for service?
There are some cases where an organizational payee, such as a social service agency who serves as representative payee for several beneficiaries, may collect a fee, but they must apply in writing to be a fee-for-service (FFS) payee, and the SSA must authorize it.
Can a representative payee collect a fee for services provided to the beneficiary?
Individual representative payees cannot collect a fee for services provided to the beneficiary. If you are the legal guardian of the beneficiary, however, you may be able to collect a guardian fee if the court has authorized it.
