Managing Your Social Security or Supplemental Security Income Benefit

Many older Texans receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) every month. You may be in a nursing home or elsewhere and have trouble handling your benefit. But that does not mean you need a guardian. Instead, you or someone else can ask the Social Security Administration to appoint someone to help you handle your benefit. That person is called a Representative Payee. Your benefit can be sent to the Representative Payee, who will use it to pay your bills. Having a Representative Payee is a good choice for some adults whose only income is from Social Security or SSI. It is not a good solution for people with more complicated financial situations.

No. But you must explain why it is difficult to handle your Social Security or SSI benefit.  

You or a relative, friend, or guardian can ask. You do not need to go to court. But you will have to fill out Social Security Form SSA-11-BK. Call Social Security at 800-772-1213. The TTY number is 800-325-0778. You will also have to give Social Security information from the past year that shows you are having trouble handling your affairs, like:

• Court documents (saying you are incompetent)
• A report from your doctor
• Statements from you, your family, or other people who know you

Not all of those documents will be needed in every case. For instance, a court order is not required in many instances. But if there is a court order stating that a Social Security or SSI recipient is incompetent, that will be important as Social Security decides whether to appoint a representative payee. If Social Security decides you need a Representative Payee, they will appoint one. 

Your Representative Payee can be a person or an organization. Social Security will try to pick what is best for you. They give preference to certain people, starting with:

• Your guardian, spouse, or another relative
• A friend
• A public or non-profit agency
• A private institution
• Anyone else who is qualified and willing to serve.

If you disagree with Social Security’s decision to appoint a Representative Payee for you or are not happy with the person appointed, you can appeal by requesting “reconsideration.” 

Your Representative Payee will receive your benefit each month and use it to:

• Pay for your needs like housing, clothes, food, medical care, nursing home, or other needs
• Provide for your spouse, child, or parent (or all of the above)
• Pay your debts
• Make investments and savings for you

Your Representative must also:

• Keep careful records of how your money was spent
• File a written report with Social Security each year about your financial situation
• Tell Social Security about any changes in your situation that would affect your benefits
• Let Social Security know about any changes in their situation.

Yes, if your present Representative has:

• Used your money improperly,
• Not filed a report or cooperated with Social Security,
• Died, or
• Said they do not want to be your Representative anymore.

You must show Social Security you can handle your checks again. You must provide evidence like:

• A statement from your doctor
• Certified copy of a court order that says you are no longer incompetent
• Other evidence that says you can manage your affairs.

Many other federal agencies, like Veterans Affairs, can also appoint a Representative Payee. Contact the agency where your benefit is from to find out more. 

• Your Texas Area Agency on Aging, by calling 800-252-9240.
• Texas Law Help has information on many areas of the law. 
• Legal Hotline for Texans: 800-622-2520: An attorney-staffed legal hotline. Advice is free for Texans 60 and over or anyone eligible for Medicare.