GN 00502.114 Representative Payee Responsibilities and Duties

A. Representative Payee responsibilities and duties

meet with the beneficiary on a regular basis to ascertain their current and foreseeable needs; use funds in the beneficiary's best interest; conserve benefits not needed for the beneficiary's current needs;

keep detailed and accurate records of how the payee uses benefits in order to provide an accurate report to SSA when requested;

complete the accounting form online or return the completed form timely once a year;

report events that may affect the beneficiary's entitlement or amount of payment (including the beneficiary's death or incarceration);

report if you are unable to locate or contact the beneficiary; cooperate with Title XVI eligibility redeterminations; ensure that medical treatment is obtained for minor children receiving SSI disability payments; report address and custody changes; report any change in circumstances which would affect performance as payee; return any benefits to which the beneficiary is not entitled; act for the beneficiary on matters relating to the beneficiary's claim; notify SSA if the beneficiary no longer needs a payee; and return any conserved funds or unused benefits to SSA when payee services terminate.

B. Additional ways a representative payee can help beneficiaries

Discuss with the payee applicant other ways a payee can help a beneficiary. The following is a list of other ways a payee can help a beneficiary:

establish a budget and involve the beneficiary as much as possible in financial decisions; explain Social Security or SSI payments, and the beneficiary's expenses to the beneficiary; ensure that the beneficiary is aware of current and large retroactive payments; help the beneficiary find other services (e.g., food stamps, housing subsidies, medical treatment);

negotiate with the beneficiary’s landlords and creditors to get favorable terms, or to change the due date on bills to coincide with the availability of funds; and

recommend an alternate person or agency, if the payee can no longer serve as payee for the beneficiary.

GN 00502.114 - Representative Payee Responsibilities and Duties - 05/23/2023
Batch run: 05/23/2023
Rev: 05/23/2023

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