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Representative Payees Help You Manage Your Social Security

July 31, 2025 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: July 31, 2025

Social Security Administration Logo Some people who receive monthly Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments may need help managing their money. If you need help, we’ll work with you to find the most suitable representative payee to manage your benefits. A representative payee is someone who receives your monthly benefit payment on your behalf and must use the money to pay for your current needs, including:

  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Personal care items
  • Housing and utilities
  • Medical and dental expenses
  • Rehabilitation expenses (if you have a disability)

If you need help managing your benefits, tell a Social Security representative that there is someone you want to be your representative payee. Your representative payee should be someone you trust and interact with often, and who clearly understands your needs. Social service agencies, nursing homes, or other organizations are also qualified to be a representative payee. Ask them to contact us.

If you don’t agree that you need a representative payee or if you want a different person to represent you, you have the right to request that we review your concerns.

Learn about Advanced Designation

There may come a time when you can no longer make your own financial decisions. Through Advance Designation you can name up to 3 people who could serve as a representative payee for you if the need ever arises. By designating trusted individuals in advance, you and your family can have peace of mind knowing that someone you trust may be appointed to manage your benefits for you.

You can submit your Advance Designation request when you apply for benefits. If you are already receiving benefits, you may also submit your request through your personal my Social Security account or by calling and speaking to a Social Security representative.

For more information, visit our webpage When People Need Help Managing Their Money.

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  2. david r.

    every time i get up with my social security money to buy stuff or fast food monty fortune is get up behide me then today with raheem mcleod lock me out the house waiting to get in without my keys i normally have. the change the locks.
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  3. prasanthi k.

    This is a helpful guide — having a representative payee can really simplify managing Social Security benefits, ensuring funds are used responsibly and efficiently for the recipient’s needs

    Reply
  4. Premlata V.

    I know a person who sponsored mother and once her mother was here in US, she received Medicare Card. This person told her daughter to call 911. Mother was admitted and had heart surgery, rehab, then fall or stroke, l in hospital/rehab. Finally she took her mother back to India where her brother took care and mother passed asay. There used to be affidavit that sponsor is responsible. The sponsor has several properties in US, and in India. Not sure if she sold. Why can’t Medicare go after her to collect the expenses?

    Reply
  5. Kelly D.

    I’m the rep payer for my disabled adult daughter, is it possible to add her brother as another rep payer?

    Reply
  6. quacy m.

    every time i get up with my social security money to buy stuff or fast food monty fortune is get up behide me then today with raheem mcleod lock me out the house waiting to get in without my keys i normally have. the change the locks

    Reply
  7. Kim S.

    I talk to someone Thursday and I thought they were suppose to call me back with and appointment. That is what I was told and I haven’t heard from anyone. I really have urgent business with s.s.a and would simply like to make and appointment for as soon as possible. Please can someone call me at 253-223-7888, or feel free to email me at kimsakornnawin0@gmail.com A S.A.P

    RESPECTFULLY YOURS

    Reply
    • John s.

      Modernizing H-2 program Requirements, Oversight, and worker protections.
      By the Homeland Security Department on 12/18/2024.
      Other employment tax programs,namely Medicare and Social Security , which have a combined tax rate of 7.65 percent (6.2 percent and 1.45 percent, respectively).235 while H-2A wages are not.236 with both the employee and employer paying their respective portion of Medicare and Social security taxes,the total estimated tax transfer for Medicare and Social security is 15.3 percent .237 DHS recognizes this quantified estimate is not representative of all potential tax losses by Federal, State, and….

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  8. Steve S.

    Dear social security
    I live with an Ellery father both my parents
    Are Ellery mom broke up with dad and takes long yearly vaccinations to Santo Domingo.
    Her mother my grand mother lives here
    My father is my payee am 43 yrs old spouse is sick too for rasing children. I try to help her. But she didn’t think I was the father cause of color. We just found out and she visit me at my home. We’re both under payees and all my friends. It’s a big responsibility to become your own payee my dad’s doing a good job.

    Reply
  9. Mrs.Tracey A.

    Fraud medicare insurance medical malpractice
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    • Lj

      What is this about ? Sorry I’m curious

      Reply
  10. Kate F.

    Thank you for the Representative Payee facts. I do believe many payees take advantage of their beneficiaries for their own personal benefit gains. Hopefully this is addressed in the proper manner.

    Reply

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