WHAT IS A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE?
A representative payee is a person or organization appointed by the Social Security Administration to receive benefits on behalf of someone who cannot manage his/her money because of their mental or physical impairment. This includes a parent who is receiving benefits on behalf of his/her own minor child.

The main responsibilities of a representative payee are to use the benefits to pay for the current and future needs of the beneficiary, properly save any unspent funds and report any changes that may affect the beneficiary’s entitlement to benefits. The representative payee also is required to file an annual report with SSA that details how the benefits were used.

WHAT MUST YOU TELL YOUR PAYEE?
Tell your payee if you:

  • Get a job or stop working
  • Move
  • Get Married
  • Take a trip outside the U.S.
  • Go to jail or prison
  • Are admitted to a hospital or
  • Are no longer disabled, if your benefits are based on a disability.