by Jane Yamamoto-Burigsay, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Hawai‘i
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are nearly 57 million people living with disabilities. Thirty percent of America’s adults help provide care for a sick or disabled family member. Providing physical and emotional support is a demanding job with stresses and rewards, but it can also be a labor of love.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is committed to helping secure today and tomorrow for every American. This is especially true for people who need help managing their benefits. SSA works closely with caregivers through its representative payee program. A representative payee is someone who receives and oversees SS or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for anyone who cannot manage them on their own —child or adult.
A representative payee is usually a trusted family member or friend, but when they are not available, SSA looks for qualified individuals or organizations to represent the beneficiary. Learn more about becoming a representative payee by watching a new series of videos at www.socialsecurity.gov/payee.
The videos will enable you to help those who are unable to help themselves.
For questions, online applications or to make an appointment to visit a SSA office, call from 7am–7pm, Mon–Fri:
1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | 1-800-325-0778 (TTY)
www.socialsecurity.gov
