In most cases, someone who knows the beneficiary asks us if he or she can be the beneficiary’s payee. It may be a family member, a friend, a legal guardian or a lawyer. Sometimes, however, social service agencies, nursing homes or other organizations offer to serve as payees.

Can a child receiving SSI be claimed as a dependent?

Social security income is support provided by the individual, and government assistance, like SSI, is support that comes from a third party. So, if most of their support comes from government assistance, you won’t be able to claim them as dependents. The qualifying-relative rule also has an income test.

How does the Social Security Representative Payee Program work?

Have legal authority over earned income, pensions, or any income from sources other than Social Security or SSI. Use a beneficiary’s money for the payee’s personal expenses, or spend funds in a way that would leave the beneficiary without necessary items or services (housing, food, medical care).

What happens to SSI funds when you become a payee?

Put a beneficiary’s Social Security or SSI funds in the payee’s or another person’s account. Use a child’s “dedicated account” funds for basic living expenses. (This only applies to disabled and blind SSI beneficiaries under age 18.) Keep conserved funds once you are no longer the payee.

When is a child’s SSI payment supposed to be spent?

Social Security says that a payee should pay off debts only if the child will still have savings equal to two monthly SSI payments after the debts are paid. When Can a Child’s SSI Be Taken to Pay Debts?

Do you have to be a beneficiary to become a payee?

In order to be a payee, you must apply for and be appointed by Social Security. What is a Beneficiary? A beneficiary is a person who receives Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Social Security and SSI are two different programs. we administer both. Who Needs a Representative Payee?