Representative Payee

[Barbamatt]

I just finally got my SSDI and got my first check last month.....all seemed to be going well for me....but I got a call from SSA today and the lady told me that I would have to get a representative payee to manage my SSDI checks.

I have to go to the SSA office sometime in the near future to arrange all the paper work. Unknown to me the ALJ put in his decision that "A recommendation that a determination be made concerning the appointment of a representative payee who can manage payments in the claimant's interest"

They further told me that they have withheld my back pay until the determination is made...but she was talking like they already want me to have one. This totally sucks.

I don't have a fiduciary for my VA money. I have been managing my VA check just fine. My bills are paid and I am starting to pay off some of my past debt. I really haven't had a lot of money to pay past debts, but now that I am receiving both VA and SSDI I should be able to pay them off in a matter of time.

I am scared for two reasons...one if they determine that I have improved enough to manage my own money then they can review if I am disabled enough to get SSDI in the first place....and for the second reason. If SSA is making me get someone to manage that will the VA jump on the same band wagon and make me get someone to manage my VA check?

What can I do. This will be a total inconvenience. I was looking at many of the rules to having a representative payee and they are tough. Most left over money after paying bills will have to go into an interest account or savings bonds...my payee wouldn't be allowed to just give me money either...they have to account for every cent....this is a lot of added stress.

I get my disability for a mental condition...but it is Major Depression. I have episodes but I really don't need that much control over my money.

Sorry if this came across as a rant....I just had a lot to say about it. Any advice is appreciated.

[Mikemmlj]

From the SSA pamphlet on Representative Payees "Your payee receives your monthly benefits and must use the money to pay for your current needs...Your payee must also report regularly to Social Security"

"If you do not agree that you need a payee...write to Social Security within 60 days to appeal that decision."

Www.socialsecurity.gov/payee

[Buck52]

Ask SSA if you can have your own POA?..I have a good friend that is on SSDI He can not manage his money blows it as fast as he gets it ect,,ect,, so his sister is his POA...The SSA was going to get him a payee too until him and his sis went to the SSA office.

I Think you have the right to say who is in charge of your $$ if your capable taking care of you!

Barb you can create your own SSA account at that web site mike mention above WWW.SocialSecurity.Gov just get you a user name and a password you can remember and once you sign up you can go into the SSA web site to your account only..only you can do this!

you can check on when your money is in the Bank or when your check comes and just a lot of other things you can check on its the same site they use at the SSA office. You can even see how many years you worked and what you paid in all those years you worked. how much you paid in to medicare & SS how much your employer paid in..it tells you what you are getting paid for disability or retirement or other! how much ect,,ect,,

you can also Ask about any information you want like this issue with the payee.

its handy and saves a lot of trips to the SSA office.

Edited November 8, 2014 by britton

[Barbamatt]

I've been taking care of myself and paying my bills. I get my VA compensation and haven't blown all of it. Why would I need a payee for one but not the other? Just because I have a mental illness doesn't mean that I squander my money.

I just want to know how to appeal it, if it comes to that.

Edited November 8, 2014 by Barbamatt

[Buck52]

Well you said the SSA is getting you a payee or wanting to to manage your SSD checks?

I'm sure you can take care of you & $$.. I Apologize if you took offense to my post, that was just an example (about my friend) I was using to let you know SS don't always have to have it the way they see it , on the SSA web site you can appeal this issue on that web site without going to the SSA office keeps you from running around all over the place.

[Barbamatt]

Sorry if I sounded too defensive...this is a sensitive spot for me. I am not sure why SS thinks that I can not manage my own money. I have a place to live, I am paying my bills, and I am using my VA money to do so. The VA never mentioned something like that to me....so I was very surprised when SS did.

I could understand it better if I was going with out basic necessities and neglecting my responsibilities...maybe they just suggest it to all people with mental illness. I do understand that sometime I have trouble taking care of myself when my symptoms get real bad...I have tried to hurt myself before...but even then I seem to manage my money....my anxiety of debt keeps me straight.

They are making me get an interview for it. Maybe I will get lucky and they won't make me get a representative payee. I am just stressing about it....that is part of my illness, I tend to stress out about things.

Does anyone know of anyone who successfully appealed it and kept their benefits?

[Barbamatt]

Good news! I got worried over nothing. I went to the interview and they said that I would be able to manage my own money. That is a load off my mind.