Guide for Organizational Representative Payees

Changes you must report to SSA

You must promptly report changes to SSA that may affect the beneficiary's eligibility for Social Security and/or SSI benefit payments. To report changes, call our toll-free number, 800-772-1213 , or call or visit your local Social Security office.

You must report the following:

• the beneficiary dies;

• the beneficiary moves or you do not know where the beneficiary is;

• the beneficiary marries or divorces;

• the beneficiary starts or stops working;

• the disabled beneficiary's condition improves;

• the beneficiary leaves or plans to leave the U.S. for 30 consecutive days or more;

• the beneficiary's immigration or citizenship status changes;

• the beneficiary is confined to a correctional institution or has an unsatisfied warrant:

• the child beneficiary’s custody changes or the child is adopted;

• the beneficiary’s parents (including step-parents) divorce or one dies;

• your organization can no longer serve as a payee; or

• the beneficiary no longer needs a payee.

Note: A payee may be held liable for repaying an overpayment if changes are not reported timely.

Additional events to report for SSI beneficiaries

You must also report the following if the beneficiary receives SSI payments:

• countable resources that exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple;

• the beneficiary moves, even temporarily, to or from a hospital, nursing home or other institution;

• a married beneficiary separates from his or her spouse, or they begin living together after a separation;

• someone moves into or out of the beneficiary's household; or

• the beneficiary has any change in income (wages, government payment, pension, etc.) or resources (For example, a child's SSI payment may change if there are any changes in family income or resources.). A payee must also complete forms for:

• a periodic review of non-medical eligibility factors called a "re determination". The re determination form asks for information about the beneficiary’s income, resources and living arrangements. The information is used to help determine whether the SSI beneficiary is still eligible for and receiving the correct payment amount.

• annual accountings of benefits received

• continuing disability reviews (CDR) to help SSA determine if a beneficiary is still blind or disabled

http://www.ssa.gov/payee/NewGuide/otherpubs.htm has a list of publications that you may order from SSA. These publications provide in-depth reporting instructions for Social Security and SSI beneficiaries.