Representative payee
Encyclopedia
A representative payee, or substitute payee, is a person who acts as the receiver of Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income
for a person who is not fully capable of managing their own benefits, i.e. cannot be their own payee. The need for the service is generally due to some form of mental disability, such as schizophrenia
or a developmental disability
. The mental disability will generally be just severe enough to impair judgement, but not so much as to require permanent hospitalization. As a result the representative payee does not act as a legal guardian
or conservator
, but is expected to assist the person with money management, along with providing protection from financial abuse and victimization.
, since the disabled person has presumed poor judgement, they are at risk of choosing, or letting others choose for them, a payee who takes advantage of them by using the benefits for themselves, either partially or entirely, leaving the disabled person deprived of adequate clothing, food, or shelter. Cases of such fraud or abuse are typically referred to Adult Protective Services
, in addition to law enforcement. Notable cases of this include the 2011 Philadelphia basement kidnapping event
.
Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income is a United States government program that provides stipends to low-income people who are either aged , blind, or disabled. Although administered by the Social Security Administration, SSI is funded from the U.S. Treasury general funds, not the Social Security trust fund...
for a person who is not fully capable of managing their own benefits, i.e. cannot be their own payee. The need for the service is generally due to some form of mental disability, such as schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
or a developmental disability
Developmental disability
Developmental disability is a term used in the United States and Canada to describe lifelong disabilities attributable to mental or physical impairments, manifested prior to age 18. It is not synonymous with "developmental delay" which is often a consequence of a temporary illness or trauma during...
. The mental disability will generally be just severe enough to impair judgement, but not so much as to require permanent hospitalization. As a result the representative payee does not act as a legal guardian
Legal guardian
A legal guardian is a person who has the legal authority to care for the personal and property interests of another person, called a ward. Usually, a person has the status of guardian because the ward is incapable of caring for his or her own interests due to infancy, incapacity, or disability...
or conservator
Conservatorship
Conservatorship is a legal concept in the United States of America, where an entity or organization is subjected to the legal control of an external entity or organization, known as a conservator. Conservatorship is established either by court order or via a statutory or regulatory authority...
, but is expected to assist the person with money management, along with providing protection from financial abuse and victimization.
Abuse
As with other examples of disability fraudDisability fraud
Disability fraud is the receipt of payment intended for the disabled from a government agency or private insurance company by one who should not be receiving them or the receipt of a higher amount than one who is entitled to them should be receiving. There are various acts that may constitute...
, since the disabled person has presumed poor judgement, they are at risk of choosing, or letting others choose for them, a payee who takes advantage of them by using the benefits for themselves, either partially or entirely, leaving the disabled person deprived of adequate clothing, food, or shelter. Cases of such fraud or abuse are typically referred to Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services
In the United States, Adult Protective Services are social services provided to abused, neglected, or exploited older and/or disabled adults. APS is typically administered by local or state health, aging, or regulatory departments and includes a multi-disciplinary approach to helping victims of...
, in addition to law enforcement. Notable cases of this include the 2011 Philadelphia basement kidnapping event
Philadelphia basement kidnapping event
On October 17, 2011, a basement in a seven unit apartment building in Northeast Philadephia, Pennsylvania was found to contain four people, being held against their will, in conditions of deprivation. The owner of the building discovered their presence after investigating suspicious activity in the...
.