The Responsible Payee Program was created in 1995. The
Program's staff consists of Fiscal managers and program
Coordinators who work directly with the beneficiaries and
other service providers.
Our mission is to act on behalf of the beneficiary to manage
and budget their monthly benefit and to help ensure that
the benefit payments are used for basic needs, This provides
the beneficiary with a more stable environment and helps
motivate beneficiaries to work toward more in dependant
living.
Required Documents:
The following documents
must be provided at the time of intake:
- Photo Identification for the applicant.
- Valid Social Security card.
- Proof of address.
- Landlord Verification
Required Duties:
A representative payee acts on behalf of the beneficiary's Social Security, SSI and/or SSDI payments.
- Determine beneficiary's current needs for day-to-day living and use his/her payments to meet those needs.
- Save any money left after meeting the beneficiary's current needs in an interest bearing account.
- Report any changes/events that could affect the beneficiary's
eligibility for benefits or payment amounts suck has
a change in the amount of pension, wage changes (for
example: Increase in the number of hours worked, or
increase in hourly wage).
- Keep written records of all payments received from SSA and how they are spent and saved.
- Provide benefit information to social service agencies or medical facilities that serve the beneficiary.
- Assist the beneficiary in the completion of continuing disability reviews and re-determination of SSI eligibility.
- Return any payments to the SSA from which the beneficiary is not entitled.
- Return any conserved funds to the SSA if representation of the payee is discontinued.
- Establish a budget, discuss it with the beneficiary, and involve him or her as much as possible.
Other Services Include:
- Helping the beneficiary find other services he or she requires (food stamps, housing subsidies, etc.)
- Helping the beneficiary fill out applications for other needed services and co-operating with caseworkers.
What a representative payee must know about "Ticket to Work" provisions for people with disabilities:
One of the SSA's highest priorities is to
help people with disabilities achieve independence by helping
them take advantage of employment opportunities. The SSA
has in place special initiatives to assist people with disabilities
in this process. Some examples are:
- An increase in the choices that beneficiaries have in obtaining rehabilitation and vocational services.
- Removing the barriers that require people with disabilities to choose between health care coverage.
What are proper uses for benefits?
To ensure that payments are used to meet
the beneficiary's immediate and reasonably foreseeable day-to-day
needs for food and housing. Payments may also be used to
pay for medical and dental care not provided by Medicaid.
Funds must be saved after the foreseeable needs have been
met. It is the Representative Payee's responsibility to
spend the funds in the best interest of the beneficiary.
Current maintenance Needs:
The Representative payee must always be aware
of the beneficiary's current maintenance needs and ensure
these needs are met. Current needs should never be sacrificed
to pay other expenses.
Fees:
There is a fee for service which is discussed
at the time of intake and is subject to change by the Social
Security Administration.
| IMPORTANT NOTICE |
| In the event that CAPIC will no longer
be the Representative Payee, the beneficiary must notify
the Social Security Administrationimmediately.
This is important because a new Representative Payee
will have to be selected as soon as possible. When CAPIC
is no longer responsible for the beneficiary, it must
return any benefits, including interest and cash on
hand to the Social Security Administration. The funds
will then be re-issued to the beneficiary, or to a new
Representative Payee. |
