What is a representative payee?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) Representative Payee Program allows a personal representative to manage a beneficiary’s Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments when they’re not able to do it themselves. This individual is known as a representative payee. By law, representative payees are required for most minor children and all legally incompetent adults.

A person can’t just step in and volunteer to be a representative payee for an SSDI beneficiary; they have to be approved and appointed by the SSA. Being a representative payee is a big job with big responsibilities—and not everyone qualifies for the task. The SSA prefers to appoint close friends or family members to the role, but in the absence of suitable candidates, you may opt to have a qualified organization manage the benefits in question. In some cases, you—or your loved one—may have had the opportunity to designate up to three people who could serve as a representative payee, if necessary. These individuals may have advanced approval to serve in a payee capacity.

Talk to a Seasoned Social Security Disability Attorney

Do you or someone you love need a representative payee to manage your SSDI benefit payments? At O’Connor Law PLLC, our knowledgeable and experienced Social Security disability attorneys can work with the SSA to appoint a suitable payee for you. If you’re interested in becoming a representative payee for a friend or loved one, we can help you understand the responsibilities that would entail and navigate the application process.

Dealing with the SSA can be a confusing and frustrating experience that often involves a lot of bureaucratic red tape. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this experience alone. Our excellent Social Security disability attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and options. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation.