What a representative payee is
A representative payee receives a beneficiary's Social Security or SSI payments and uses them for the beneficiary's needs. SSA appoints a payee when a beneficiary is a child, or an adult who cannot manage or direct the management of their benefits because of age, illness, or disability.
Who can be a payee
SSA prefers someone who knows the beneficiary well, such as a family member, friend, or guardian. If no individual is available, SSA can appoint an organization. A payee must be able to manage money responsibly, and SSA checks that the person is suitable for the role.
A payee's duties
- Use the money for the beneficiary's current needs: food, housing, clothing, medical care, and personal items.
- Save any remaining money in an account for the beneficiary, kept separate from the payee's own funds.
- Keep records of how the money is spent.
- Report changes to SSA that could affect benefits, such as work, a move, or a change in living arrangements.
- Complete the periodic accounting report SSA sends.
How to apply
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Contact SSA (1-800-772-1213) or visit an office to start the process |
| 2 | Complete the Request to Be Selected as Payee (Form SSA-11) |
| 3 | Provide proof of your identity and your relationship to the beneficiary |
| 4 | SSA interviews you and the beneficiary, may require medical evidence of the need for a payee, and then decides |
Payee, power of attorney, and guardian
A power of attorney or legal guardianship does not by itself let a person manage someone's Social Security. SSA has its own process to appoint a representative payee. A court-appointed guardian may be chosen as payee, but SSA must still approve it.
If you believe a payee is misusing money
Report it to SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or to the Office of the Inspector General (oig.ssa.gov/report). SSA can investigate, replace the payee, and require repayment of misused benefits.
Fees
Most family payees cannot charge a fee. Some qualified organizations may be authorized to charge a small monthly fee. Ask SSA before agreeing to pay.