Representative Payee

A representative payee is a person or organization SSA appoints to receive and manage benefits for a beneficiary who cannot manage the money alone. Payees are common for minor children, adults with significant cognitive or mental health impairments, and people struggling with substance use. Family members are usually preferred, but qualified organizations can also serve.

A payee must spend the funds on the beneficiary's current needs, such as housing, food, medical care, and personal items, save anything left over on the beneficiary's behalf, and keep records; most individual payees must account to SSA for how the money was used. A payee has no right to use the funds personally, and misuse must be repaid and can be prosecuted. Beneficiaries may contest a payee appointment.