Representative Payee

A representative payee is assigned to manage the SSDI or SSI payments for claimants who do not have the ability to manage their own benefits. The representative payee, who is appointed by the Social Security Administration, has the legal authority to use the claimant's SSI or SSDI benefits to pay for the "current and foreseeable needs of the beneficiary."

Duties of the representative payee can include managing the savings accounts to pay for current and future needs of the Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income claimant, ensuring the disability recipient gets proper medical care, maintaining accurate information about the funds management and how the monies are distributed, contacting the SSA if they are no longer able to perform their required duties, identifying the claimant's financial needs, ensuring the claimant is eligible for funds, and returning funds if the claimant loses their eligibility status.

If you need a representative payee you must contact the Social Security Administration and submit Form SSA-11. Representative payees cannot use the SSDI or SSI funds for their own benefit, sign other legal documents which are not sent by the SSA, or charge the claimant for their services.