Guide for Organizational Representative Payees

How to apply to be an representative payee

To apply to be a payee for a Social Security and/or SSI beneficiary, your organization should contact your local Social Security office to file an application. SSA requires this application to be completed in a face-to-face interview. This requirement may be waived for certain organizations that have established a relationship with their local office.

SSA uses a face-to-face interview to:

• determine your organization's relationship to and interest in the beneficiary;

• discuss your organization's qualifications;

• discuss your organization's ability to carry out the responsibilities of a payee;

• explain the payee’s duties;

• explain the payee’s reporting responsibilities; and

• explain the liability for not reporting changes to SSA. (See http://www.ssa.gov/payee/NewGuide/changes.htm for a list of changes that must be reported and http://www.ssa.gov/payee/NewGuide/liability.htm for liability and responsibility for an overpayment.)

You must provide accurate information so that SSA can determine your organization's suitability to serve as a payee.

If you want to charge a fee for your services, see http://www.ssa.gov/payee/NewGuide/payment.htm for the requirements and instructions on how to apply to be a fee for service payee.