Representative Payee Program

Representative Payee

Social Security's Representative Payment Program provides benefit payment management for our beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. We appoint a suitable representative payee (payee) who manages the payments on behalf of the beneficiaries. Generally, we look for family or friends to serve as payees. When friends or family members are not able to serve as payees, we look for qualified organizations. We also offer the option to advance designate up to three individuals who could serve as payee for you if the need arises. If you are concerned that someone you know becomes incapable of managing or directing the management of his or her benefits, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to request an appointment to discuss your concerns.

Payees may receive an annual Representative Payee Report to account for the benefit payments received. Due to a recent change in the law, we no longer require the following payees to complete an annual Representative Payee Report:

Natural or adoptive parents of a minor child beneficiary who primarily reside in the same household as the child;
Legal guardians of a minor child beneficiary who primarily reside in the same household as the child;
Natural or adoptive parents of a disabled adult beneficiary who primarily reside in the same household with the beneficiary; and
Spouse of a beneficiary.

Although these groups of payees no longer have to complete the annual Representative Payee Report, all payees are responsible for keeping records of how the payments are spent or saved, and making all records available for review if requested by SSA.

We mail an annual Representative Payee Report to the payees who are required to complete the report. Payees who are under 18 must complete the paper version. Individual payees who are 18 or older can complete it online by logging in to their my Social Security account.