The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays disability benefits to eligible people with disabilities, called “beneficiaries.” If a beneficiary cannot manage their Social Security benefits, the SSA appoints a Representative Payee (Rep Payee) to receive and manage the benefits. A Rep Payee can be an individual or an organization.

Disability Rights Rhode Island (DRRI) has a federal grant to monitor how Rep Payees handle Social Security benefits. As part of its Representative Payee Program, we make sure Rep Payees follow SSA rules and meet the needs of the people they serve. We do this by:

• Interviewing select Rep Payees
• Reviewing the finances to ensure the Rep Payees are following Social Security requirements
• Speaking with beneficiaries to make sure they are getting the help they need

The findings of each review will be reported to the Social Security Administration.