A Representative Payee knows what your needs are so together you can decide how your benefits can best be used for your personal care and well-being.
Your financial accounts will be reviewed by Social Security every year.
Your Representative Payee can only manage the funds you receive from Social Security or from Supplemental Security Income (SSI). All other income you receive will be yours to manage.
Your Representative Payee has a responsibility to pay for these items first:
Day-to-day needs for food;
Day-to-day needs for shelter.
After those needs are met, the Payee can use your benefit income to pay for:
Medical and Dental care not covered by insurance;
Personal needs, like clothing and recreation.
If money is left over, the Payee is required to place that money in savings for you, preferably in an interest-bearing account or in U.S. Savings Bonds.
For more information about the duties and responsibilities of Representative Payees, visit the Social Security website.
www.ssa.gov/payee
You can also call Social Security toll-free.
(800) 772-1213 Telephone hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
If you are deaf or have a hearing impairment, a TTY number is available. (800) 325-0778
All calls are handled in a confidential manner.
Once you and your Representative Payee have gotten your basic needs taken care of, your money may be spent to improve your daily living conditions.
You may decide to use these funds for major health-related expenses, like reconstructive dental care.
You may decide to purchase medical equipment, like a motorized wheelchair. Perhaps there are rehabilitation expenses or insurance premiums that need to be paid.
You might want to go to school or receive some specialized training.
If you are not sure about the ability to use the funds for these purposes, you and your Payee can call the Social Security office to make sure.
Your Payee has a responsibility to make sure you are not saving too much money. If you save too much, your benefits could be in jeopardy.
