Authorized Representative Payee (ARP)

Identifying ARP Requirements

The Analyst must consult with the non-minor dependent (NMD) to identify an appropriate representative payee. The payee may be:

  • The NMD
  • A trusted adult
  • A tribal agency (if the youth is an Indian)
  • The County. 

If the NMD selects a payee other than the county or requests to be their own payee, the Analyst will help the NMD request a payee change to the SSA and assist (the youth or the chosen payee) with any forms or communication related to changes in their foster care case that could affect their SSI benefits or eligibility.
If the NMD requests, and SSA selects the County as the representative payee for the NMD, the Analyst will advise the NMD on an annual basis of the NMD’s right to request a different representative payee or to become their own payee. The Social Worker (SW) or Probation Officer (PO) must document in the NMD’s transitional independent living case plan steps they can take to become their own payee by the time they turn 21 years of age. If the NMD exits FC care before age 21, the Analyst must inform them of the required steps to submit a change of payee request to the SSA and provide the necessary support to ensure they continue receiving SSI payments as soon as possible after exiting care.
When the County is not the representative payee, the Analyst must still assist the NMD or their representative payee with providing information to SSA and with keeping track of how many months the SSI payment has been in suspense. 

Who Cannot Serve As ARP

Refer to 20 CFR. 416.622 for information regarding who cannot serve as representative payees. 

ARP Responsibilities

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 of how the money is spent. SSA will mail the appropriate accounting form at least once a year to validate how the money is spent.

When the ARP is SCCSSA, the Analyst, under the supervision 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
  • Any additional needs approved by SSA.

The Analyst must report the following beneficiary changes as soon as possible, but no later than 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 in earned or unearned income or resources
  • Changes in eligibility of benefits (increase or decrease in county-issued benefits)
  • Any additional benefits
  • When the court no longer has jurisdiction over the youth
  • Admission to or discharge from institutions such as hospitals, correctional facilities, etc.
  • When the beneficiary marries or dies
  • Change in school attendance when the youth is under 22
  • 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 underpayments 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 failing to report important changes may require SSA to impose a sanction against the beneficiary's 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