Guide for Organizational Representative Payees

Who is a Beneficiary?

SSA administers the Social Security and SSI programs. A beneficiary is a person who receives Social Security and/or SSI payments.

Social Security

Workers qualify for Social Security benefits after they have worked for a specified period and had FICA taxes withheld from their earnings or have been self-employed and paid FICA taxes for their self-employment income. When the worker retires or is unable to work due to a disabling condition, he or she is eligible for Social Security benefits. A worker's spouse and children may also become eligible for Social Security benefits if the worker retires, is unable to work due to a disability or dies. The amount that someone receives depends on the age at which he or she retires, becomes disabled, dies, how long he or she worked under the Social Security program and the amount of his or her earnings.

SSI

To receive SSI, a person must be age 65 or older, blind or disabled and must have limited income and resources. In order to qualify, he or she also cannot have over $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple) in countable resources. (Note: SSA usually does not count the beneficiary’s home and one car as resources.) Children may receive SSI due to disability or blindness. SSI is paid out of General Revenues, not the Social Security Trust Fund. Some states supplement the maximum SSI Federal payment. Any income such as Social Security, a pension or help from others in the form of food or housing, may reduce the SSI payment. Some individuals may receive Social Security and SSI payments. Eligibility depends on the individual meeting the requirements for each program.

You need to know what type of payment(s) the beneficiary is receiving and what events or changes you need to report to SSA. (See http://www.ssa.gov/payee/NewGuide/changes.htm for a payee’s reporting responsibilities.)

Please refer to http://www.ssa.gov/payee/NewGuide/otherpubs.htm for publications that provide more information on the Social Security and SSI programs.