Social Security Representative Payee Program

Definition of Program

A representative payee is an individual or organization that receives social security and/or supplemental security income (SSI) payments for a person who cannot manage or is incapable of directing another to manage his or her own money.

The main responsibility of a representative payee is to use the individual’s social security benefits to pay for current and anticipated needs of the beneficiary.

TACIL is an organizational payee, or fee-for-service payee, and is permitted to charge the beneficiary a fee for its Social Security Representative Payee Program (Representative Payee) services.

Reason for Existence

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two programs that provide income security for aged, blind, or disabled persons and their dependents or survivors. These programs are the most important sources of income for many Americans:

Social security is a social insurance program that protects workers and their families from loss of earnings because of retirement, death or disability.
SSI is a federal income maintenance program for aged, blind, and/or disabled persons with little or no income or resources.

Some beneficiaries receive both social security and SSI payments.

Services in Program

Beyond simply paying bills, TACIL helps beneficiaries obtain adequate housing, food assistance, Medicare and Medicaid cards, and other necessities paid for with their social security benefits.

Eligibility Requirements

An individual must be receiving social security and/or SSI payments; SSA must refer the individual to TACIL, having already determined that an individual cannot manage their own benefits.

Traditional Funding Sources

Funding for Representative Payee comes from the social security benefits of the beneficiary in the form of a small monthly fee.

Similar Programs in Area

Caring, Inc.—Las Cruces