Organizational Payee Program
Population served: Individuals who are determined by a physician to be incapable of managing their own monetary affairs and who do not have friends, relatives or others who can help them with managing their finances. They receive federal benefits (Social Security, SSI, SSDI) and have been determined by the appropriate federal office to need a representative to pay expenses associated with their basic needs. They will be low-income people most vulnerable to financial exploitation or neglect; they may be isolated, and have mental or physical disabilities.
Representative Payee Project
Population served: Individuals who are determined by a physician as incapable of managing their own monetary affairs and who do not have friends, relatives or others who can help them with managing their finances. They receive federal benefits (Social Security, SSI, SSDI) and have been determined by the appropriate federal office to need a representative to pay expenses associated with their basic needs. They will be low-income people most vulnerable to financial exploitation or neglect; they may be isolated, and have mental or physical disabilities. An Area IV Agency supervised, trained volunteer retains the individual’s checkbook.
Bill Payer Program
Population served: Disabled, homebound, forgetful or confused persons in an effort to help them maintain as much independence as possible. This person does not need the services of a permanent representative payee or a legal guardian. This program is for individuals with earnings as a source of income. The client retains the checkbook in this program and is linked with a volunteer to assist with money management.
Participation is voluntary on the part of the client.
Individuals may be referred by agencies or may refer themselves for assistance.
- The program was established in 1993 by the Legal Counsel of the Elderly, a division of the American Association of Retired Persons in cooperation with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
- The program utilizes volunteers.
- Volunteers are screened and trained by the program.
- Qualifications are doubled-checked by the SSA before allowing services.
- AARP/LCE insures the bank account against loss or miscalculations.
- The account is audited monthly for accuracy and appropriateness.
- Volunteers are limited to handling only social security and/or other government benefits. Private income/other resources are outside the scope of the program.