Guide for Organizational Representative Payees

How to request authorization to collect a fee

Before your organization can collect a fee for representative payee services, you must request authorization in writing from SSA and that request must be approved in writing. You cannot collect fees for months before the month that SSA issued the fee approval notice to you.

The written request must include all of the following information and documents listed below:

• your Employer Identification Number (EIN) or your own social security number (SSN) (if applying as an individual doing business as a sole proprietorship);

• your organization's statement of purpose (mission statement);

• your organization's service area (include the neighborhoods, cities and counties served);

• a list of the names, SSN's, and residence addresses of beneficiaries for whom you are already serving as a payee;

• a statement as to whether or not your organization currently charges any of the beneficiaries for its services; and

• the signature of the director of your organization or another individual who can legally act for the organization.

 If your organization is not a state or local government agency, you must also submit the following documents with the request .

• furnish proof of tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code;

• a copy of your organization's current bonding agreement with an insurance company or mortgage holder (Note: The type of bond required is one that guarantees payment to SSA for unforeseen financial loss through the actions of a corporate officer or employee dishonesty); and

• a copy of your organization’s current license, if available in the state you operate in, that allows you to provide services within the state.