If someone wants to know what it means that they have a Representative Payee or why it matters, this document can help. Click here to download PDF.
Representative Payee Q & A
“Who determines how much I get in benefits?”
The Social Security Administration sends out a yearly letter to tell you how much you get every month and how they calculated it. As of 2025, the most income you can receive is $967.00 as an individual. Your representative payee does not determine how much money you receive and these benefits won’t change if you become your own payee.
“Why do I have a payee?”
There can be many specific reasons why Social Security decides someone needs a payee, but it's usually because Social Security has information that indicates you need help in managing your money to meet your current needs.
“What does ASN do for me as my payee?”
- Determines your needs and utilizes your payments to meet those needs before anything else (such as housing, rent, medical expenses, food, etc)
- Saves any money left after meeting current needs in a savings account for your future needs OR will provide you with checks for entertainment/other expenses that are not considered necessary
- Reports any changes or events which could affect your eligibility for SSI/SS payments
- Keeps records of all payments received and how you spent or saved them
- Reports to SSA any changes that would affect their performance as continuing to be your payee
- Completes report accounting for use of all payments
- Return to SSA any payments which you are not entitled to (overpayments, etc)
- Return to SSA any payments saved if ASN is no longer the representative payee for you
“What if I want to become my own payee?”
If you have a representative payee because of a physical or a mental disability, in order to become your own payee, you must show SSA that you are mentally and physically able to handle your money yourself.
You will need to provide ONE of the documents listed below:
- Form SSA-787: Physician's or Medical Officer's Statement of Patient's Capability to Manage Benefits
- An official copy of a court order saying that the court believes that you can take care of yourself
- Other evidence that shows your ability to take care of yourself
Note: If SSA believes your condition has improved to the point that you no longer need a payee, they may reevaluate your eligibility for disability payments entirely.
“What if I apply to become my own payee and get denied?”
You have the right to appeal within 60 days from the date you were notified. You do this by calling the local social security office or the hotline.
Call Social Security's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on business days. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on business days or call your local Social Security office between 9a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on business days. You also can visit us on the Internet at www.socialsecurity.gov.