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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Representative payee
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A quick definition of Representative payee:
Representative payee: A person who is allowed by the government to receive money on behalf of someone who cannot manage their own money. This is usually because the person is not able to make good decisions about their money. The government will first look for a family member or friend to help, but if no one is available, they will find a qualified organization to manage the money. If you are worried about someone who needs help managing their money, you can call the government and ask them to consider enrolling them in the Representative Payment Program.
A more thorough explanation:
A representative payee is a person or organization authorized by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to receive benefits on behalf of someone who is unable to manage their own finances. This program is designed to help individuals who are not competent to manage their legal affairs, such as those with mental or physical disabilities.
For example, if someone receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments but is unable to manage their own finances, the SSA may appoint a representative payee to receive and manage those payments on their behalf. The representative payee is responsible for using the funds to meet the recipient's basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter.
The SSA will first look to the recipient's friends or family members to serve as the representative payee. If no suitable person is available, the SSA will look for a qualified organization to manage the benefits. If you are concerned that someone you know is unable to manage their benefits, you can contact the SSA to request consideration for enrollment in the Representative Payment Program.