Help loved one manage Social Security benefits

The aged and people with disabilities may need extra assistance to manage their finances. If you have a loved one who needs your help, you may be able to become a representative payee. A representative payee receives the beneficiary’s payments and is given the authority to manage them on the beneficiary’s behalf. Social Security recognizes that turning someone’s finances over to another person is a big deal so it makes sure that the beneficiary needs the help and that you are the best person to offer that help. Social Security may also monitor that you spend the benefits appropriately on behalf of the beneficiary. If you are chosen to serve as a representative payee, that appointment is only to manage Social Security and SSI funds, not to manage nonSocial Security money or medical matters.

As a representative payee, you must know what the beneficiary’s needs are so you can decide the best use of benefits for their care and well-being. Each year, Social Security may ask you to complete an annual Representative Payee Report to account for the benefits you’ve received and spent on their behalf. You can either fill out the form and return it to Social Security or go online at socialsecurity.gov/payee to file the report.

If you’re a representative payee, check out the new Representative Payee Portal at socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

You can read more about becoming a representative payee at socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/EN-05-10076.pdf.