Making Wise Choices When a Representative Payee Manages Your Money
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: July 16, 2021
Some of the millions of people who get monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits need help managing this money. A person assigned to help you manage your monthly benefits is called a representative payee. We may decide you need a representative payee if we receive information that indicates you need help to manage your money. We try to select someone who knows you and wants to help you. Your representative payee should be someone who you trust, who sees you often, and who clearly understands your needs.
A representative payee receives your monthly benefits on your behalf and must use the money to pay for your current needs. Eligible costs include:
- Housing and utilities.
- Food.
- Medical and dental expenses.
- Personal care items.
- Clothing.
- Rehabilitation expenses (if you’re disabled).
If there is someone you want to be your representative payee, tell a Social Security representative, and they will consider your request. Social service agencies, nursing homes, or other organizations are also qualified to be your representative payee. Ask them to contact us.
If you receive a decision that you are appointed a representative payee and don’t agree that you need one, or if you want a different representative payee, write to us within 60 days to appeal that decision.
If you can’t manage your finances, someone else can help. If you have a trusted friend or family member who can be your representative payee, our publication, A Guide for Representative Payees, will provide more information on our representative payee rules.
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Tags: Disability, representative payee, Social Security benefits, SSI, supplemental security income
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Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
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Patricia G.
I’m the representative payee for my son.. will I receive stimulas payment on the direct express card ? For both of us?
Patty H.
I have a payee, lm on SSI and SSDI ,how will I get my stimulus check?
James T.
My wife & I both receive SSDI . I have been appointed her representative payee since 2003 when we got married because she has a learning disability & bipolar disorder. We both get our monthly SSDI checks directly deposited into our checking/debit account that has both of our names on the account but the debit card is issued in my name. I used the get my payment tool to check each of our payments. My $1,200 stimulus payment was said to be deposited into our account on April 29 & that’s when I received it. I found no results on my wife’s payment & it was never deposited. Today is May 5 & still no payment for her. The IRS should have all of her information on file as mine did through the Social Security Administration. Her disability check is only around $750 a month about $200 less than mine, so clearly she meets the qualifications to receive a stimulus check. We both have come to terms that she must have been skipped over by the IRS but being that we are both on a fixed income, she could really use the stimulus payment. Any information on how to get her stimulus payment would greatly be appreciated.
Thank you
Randy h.
I have a payee at Mineral Area cprc Inc Vicky Mill neck is my payee will my stimulus check go to her are will itcome to me since I filed SSA 1099 tax return in January I received a tax check in the mail will my stimulus check come the same way because I don’t got direct deposit
della m.
Same question spouse payee will I still get mine he got his stimulus already
Hakan C.
Thank you for article.
istoç kozmetik
Michael R.
I am my wife’s rep payee she has direct deposit with my name on it.lhave account for myself direct deposit will she receive a stimulus check we both receive ssdi.
Jennifer M.
When will I get my stimulus check if you want disability a hand truck deposit
Tabitha R.
My brother inlaw and sister inlaw have a representative payee. The payee hasnt been paying their bills at all theyve been homeless staying with people off and on. My question is is will that payee get their stimulus check or will they. They really need this money. Any infor would be great thank you
V.V.
Hi Tabitha, thank you for using our blog. Whoever it is that is your in-law’s representative payees, they are required to keep records of all payments received and how they are spent or saved. Usually, Social Security will send a “Representative Payee Accounting Report” once a year.
If you think there is misuse, tell Social Security right away. We will investigate all allegations of misuse, gather facts and evidence, and make a decision on whether misuse has occurred. If we find misuse, Social Security may name a new representative payee for them. We will then take action to recover the misused money.
To report misuse, please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to speak to one of our representatives or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jennifer M.
When will I get my stimulus check if you want disability a hand truck deposit
Melissa p.
I have a payee on my account benefits. Will I still get the stimilus checks? And is there anything we need to do? I have direct express card that’s how I receive my monthly payments.
Raye B.
I agree with all you said.I’m on ssi because I had no work credits and due to peripheral neuropathy was b out on ssi.some people r just ignorant.