Distribution of Funds: The Nuts and Bolts of Our Representative Payee Program
Many individuals with disabilities experience difficulty paying bills and managing a household budget. Under Arcare’s Representative Payee Program, the Social Security Administration (SSA) directly deposits benefits into an account on behalf of the individual with a disability. Arcare is then responsible for coordinating the distribution of those funds as needed to cover daily living expenses and routine bills.
Here are a few things to consider regarding the Representative Payee Program:
- The SSA appoints a representative payee when a beneficiary is determined incapable of managing or directing someone else to manage his/her Social Security and/or SSI payments.
- A representative payee can be an individual or organization whose main responsibility is to use Social Security and/or SSI payments to pay for the current and foreseeable needs of the beneficiary.
- Arcare is an organizational representative payee. The SSA regulates the monthly fee allowed for this service. Please see our fee schedule for the current rate.
- We develop a budget for our clients according to Social Security requirements, with basic needs the priority (food and shelter). On a weekly or monthly basis, we the payee put money on a bank cash card for the beneficiary to use for spending and groceries. We also work closely with each individual and/or the individual’s case manager as needed.
For more information, contact us. Please keep in mind that the process for approval often takes 6-8 weeks.