Some people who receive monthly Social Security or SSI benefits may need help managing their money.

When we receive information that indicates you need help, we’ll work with you to find the most suitable representative payee to manage your benefits. Jack Myers with Social Security indicates your representative payee is someone who receives your monthly benefit on your behalf and must use the money to pay for your current needs. If you need help managing your benefits you can have a person you trust apply with Social Security.  

The person ideally will be someone you see often who will be in position to easily help you with your current needs. Myers notes if there isn’t an individual who can do this, organizations such as social service agencies, nursing homes, or others could do it.

Of course there are also circumstances where you may not recognize or be able to recognize the need for a payee.  

If a family member or organization applies to be your payee we will seek evidence that a payee is needed, and then notify you before the change takes place. Myers ecnourages you to contact Social Security to dispute the change if you don’t feel it is warranted or you would prefer a different payee. 

Social Security also offers Advance Designation, which allows you to designate a person or multiple people whom you would trust to serve as your payee should a need ever arise. Myers explains The Advance Designation option will be presented to you when you apply for benefits and your selections can be changed at any time through your mySocialSecurity account.

Again, find out more about the payee program at www.ssa.gov/payee.