People who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may need someone to help manage their money. When a person needs this type of help, the Social Security Administration can appoint a relative, friend, or another interested party to serve as a representative payee. The person’s benefits are then managed by the payee on the person’s behalf.

The representative payee must use the person’s benefits for current basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. The payee must provide a simple accounting report of how the money was spent (usually on an annual basis) to Social Security and to the person. A representative payee only has authority over Social Security benefits, not over any other income or finances. Payees must report any changes in circumstances (income, savings, living arrangements, or return to work, etc.) to Social Security.

If the person needing payee assistance does not have a family member, friend or advocate to assume this helping role, the Brown County Health and Human Services Department may provide services for a monthly fee. Availability is limited to consumers enrolled in other department programs.

Services are Provided to Consumers who are:receiving Federal and State SSI

• receiving Federal Social Security or Social Security Disability
• receiving Veteran Benefits
• receiving Pension Plans
• receiving Work Income
• receiving Miscellaneous Income (i.e. disability from work)
• living independently and in Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF) or Adult Family Homes (AFH)

Consumers living independently are provided the following services:

• Issue spending money for personal needs and groceries
• Pay monthly living expenses
• Work on paying off outstanding debt
• Emergency money savings plan
• Provide clothing and holiday spending
• Process Medical Assistance (MA) reviews
• Budget annually with consumer and/or guardian

Consumers living in a CBRF or AFH are provided the following services:

• Issue spending money for personal needs
• Pay consumer’s portion of monthly room & board
• Receive monthly spending money
• Provide clothing and holiday spending
• Process Medical Assistance (MA) reviews
• Budget annually with consumer and/or guardian

Contact:  Representative Payee Unit
Phone: (920) 448-6349