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Representative Payee

The Representative Payee Program provides money management services for individuals who are unable to budget, pay routine bills, or manage their financial affairs. The program’s primary focus is to ensure that all beneficiaries have stable housing and consistent access to weekly funds for food, personal needs, and other essentials required for daily living.

Enrollment

Eligibility for the Representative Payee Program is determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when it is found that a beneficiary is unable to manage or direct the management of their benefit payments due to age, illness, or disability. This may include minors under the age of 18, individuals with cognitive impairments, mental health conditions, or physical limitations that prevent them from handling financial matters responsibly.

Referrals

Referrals to the Representative Payee Program are typically received from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), social service agencies, medical providers, community organizations, and family members who identify individuals in need of assistance managing their benefits. Once a referral is made, our staff gathers relevant information, assesses the individual’s circumstances, and works with SSA or VA to complete the required application and approval process for payee services.

Goals

The primary goals of the Representative Payee Program are to ensure that beneficiaries’:

  • Social Security or VA benefits are managed responsibly,
  • basic needs are consistently met, and
  • funds are safeguarded from misuse.

The program aims to provide financial stability by prioritizing essential expenses such as housing, food, utilities, and medical care, while also promoting the beneficiary’s overall well-being and quality of life.

Program Funding

The Representative Payee Program is an independently supported service that is funded through authorized fees collected from client benefit payments. The Social Security Administration (SSA) establishes the maximum fees that may be charged to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries, while the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sets the allowable fees for VA beneficiaries.

Counties Served

The counties served by the Payee Program include: Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, and Wayne.

Contact Information