FAQ's

Q.    What is a Representative Payee?

A.     A Representative Payee (Rep Payee) is an individual or organization that receives Social Security and/or SSI payments for someone who cannot manage or direct the management of his/her money.

Q.   Who Needs a Representative Payee?

A.  The law requires minor children and legally incompetent adults to have payees. In all other situations, adult beneficiaries are presumed to be capable of managing benefits. if there is evidence to the contrary, however, SSA may appoint a representative payee.

Q.    What is a Beneficiary?

A.    A beneficiary is a person who receives Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Social Security and SSI are two different programs and both are administered by SSA.

Q.    What are the duties of a Representative payee?

A.    A payee acts on behalf of the beneficiary. A payee is responsible for everything related to benefits that a capable beneficiary would do for himself or herself. SSA encourages payees to go beyond just managing finances and to be actively involved in the beneficiary’s life. The following lists the required duties of a payee.

Required Duties:

1. Determine the beneficiary’s needs and use his or her payments to meet those needs;

2. Save any money left after meeting the beneficiary’s current needs in an interest bearing account or savings bonds for the beneficiary's future needs.

3. Report any changes or events which could affect the beneficiary’s eligibility for benefits or payment amount;

4. Keep records of all payments received and how they are spent and/or saved;

5. Provide benefit information to social service agencies or medical facilities that serve the beneficiary;

6. Help the beneficiary get medical treatment when necessary;

7. Notify SSA of any changes in your (the payee's) circumstances that would affect your performance or continuing as payee.

8. Complete written reports accounting for the use of funds.

9. Return any payments to which the beneficiary is not entitled to SSA.

Q.    Is there a fee charged by the representative payee?

A.    Owens & Company is approved by the Social Security Administration to collect a fee of 10% of the monthly benefit up to $54.00 per month (2024 rate). This fee is set by Social Security Administration and reviewed annually.