A new program to improve the oversight of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits managed by representative payees has been announced by the Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL).

On April 13, 2018, the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act was signed into law. This legislation authorizes the nation’s Protection & Advocacy (P&A) system to conduct reviews of the SSA’s Representative Payee Program.

A “rep payee” is an organization or person who manages the Social Security benefits for a person who may not be able to do so. Unfortunately, there are cases of rep payees who have stolen or misused funds, leaving beneficiaries without even their basic needs being met.

ACDL staff will conduct periodic onsite reviews to verify that the representative payee is using the benefits properly on behalf of the beneficiary. Beneficiaries will also be interviewed to ensure they are being cared for appropriately. Staff advocates will conduct educational visits and additional discretionary reviews based on allegations it receives of payee misconduct. ACDL will then recommend corrective action, when needed, to the representative payee to improve its services to beneficiaries.

Learn more about Representative Payee Site Reviews conducted by the P &A system here.