Responsibilities of the Authorized Representative Payee (ARP)

ARPs are responsible for using benefits in the best interest of the child or youth. They are responsible for maintaining and monitoring all accounts related to the receipt of RSDI/SSI benefits. This includes keeping records on reporting on how the money is spent. SSA will mail the appropriate accounting form at least once a year to validate how the money is spent. The ARP in SCCSSA is the RSDI/SSI SWC, who are currently working under the supervision of FCE. The SWC under the direction of the assigned SW/PO approves the distribution of RSDI/SSI benefits.

Benefits may be used for the following reasons:

  • Medical and dental care not covered by Medi-Cal,
  • Personal needs, such as clothing and recreation,
  • Special school or training programs, and
  • Any additional need approved by SSA.

The SWC must report the following beneficiaries changes as soon as possible but no more that 10 days after the end of the month in which the change occurred:

  • Change of address,
  • Change of living arrangements,
  • Change of placements (including transition to adoptions and Kin-GAP),
  • Changes is earned or unearned income or resources,
  • Changes in eligibility of benefits (increases or decreases in county issued benefits),
  • Any additional benefits,
  • When the court no longer has jurisdiction over the child or youth,
  • Admission to or discharges from institutions such as hospitals, correctional facilities or the likes,
  • When the beneficiary marries or dies,
  • Under the age of 22, change in school attendance,
  • Leaving the U.S. for a full calendar month or for 30 consecutive days or more,
  • Improvement in medical conditions.

Failure to report timely changes may cause under payments or overpayments. When an overpayment occurs the beneficiary may lose their eligibility for benefits or a penalty may apply that will reduce benefits. SSA may reduce the payment by $25 to $100 for each time a failure to report a change has occurred.

Providing false, misleading or knowingly failure to report important changes may require SSA to impose a sanction against the beneficiaries payments. The first sanction period is a withholding of payments for 6 months. Subsequent sanction periods are for 12 months and then 24 months.

Related Topics

Social Security Administration Benefits