Sometimes individuals who receive SSI and/or SSDI have trouble managing their Social Security benefits. When the Social Security Administration (SSA) is able to identify such individuals, generally through reviewing their clinical information, SSA determines that a representative payee is needed. An individual or organization is then appointed. The representative payee manages SSA benefits to meet the individual’s basic needs (rent, food, etc.).
People with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders often lack family members who are able to serve as payees. When this is the case, SSA turns to social service agencies and other organizations to fill this void. Organizations that are already serving members of the community who have substance use disorders and mental illness are uniquely qualified to be payees because they have experience and skills in helping this population. To find out more about becoming a payee, visit SSA’s website http://www.ssa.gov/payee.
To read more about Organizational Rep Payees click here.