Managing a parent's benefits: representative payee and power of attorney

In short: If your parent can no longer manage their Social Security or SSI, you must apply to Social Security to become their representative payee. A power of attorney or a joint bank account is not enough. While your parent can still decide, they can name up to three people in advance to be their payee.

Representative payee

A representative payee receives a person's Social Security or SSI payments and uses them for that person. Social Security appoints one when a beneficiary cannot manage their payments, and it looks first to family and friends.

A power of attorney does not make you a payee. The Treasury Department does not recognize a power of attorney for federal payments, including Social Security and SSI. Being an authorized representative, having a power of attorney, or sharing a bank account is not the same as being a payee. You must apply and be appointed.

How to become a payee

  1. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security office to ask for an appointment.
  2. Complete form SSA-11 (Request to be selected as payee). This is usually done face to face.
  3. Bring documents that prove your identity.

What a payee must do

  • Use the payments for your parent's current needs: housing, food, medical care, clothing and personal items.
  • Save any money left over for your parent, in an interest-bearing account or savings bonds.
  • Keep records of every payment received and how it was spent or saved.
  • Report changes that could affect payments, such as a move, a hospital or nursing home stay, or a death.
  • Return any payment your parent was not due.

Social Security mails a yearly Representative Payee Report to payees who must complete one. A spouse who is payee does not have to file it, but every payee must keep records and show them if asked.

Family payees cannot charge a fee. Social Security never lets an individual charge for payee services.

Naming a payee in advance

While your parent can still make decisions, they can name up to three people who could serve as their payee if it is ever needed. This is called advance designation. They can do it in their my Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local office, and can change or cancel it at any time. It is not a power of attorney and does not appoint anyone now.

If a payee misuses the money

Tell Social Security right away. It investigates, can appoint a new payee or pay the person directly, and works to recover the money. You can report it online at secure.ssa.gov/pfrf or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Power of attorney, trusts and guardianship

A power of attorney lets someone your parent chooses handle money and property for them. It can still be used for other money matters, but not for Social Security or SSI payments.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has free plain-language guides for each role: people named in a power of attorney, court-appointed guardians, trustees, and government fiduciaries such as Social Security payees and VA fiduciaries. See Managing someone else's money. The guides are not legal advice; for a power of attorney or trust, talk to a lawyer or your state's legal aid for older adults.

VA benefits

VA does not use Social Security payees. If a veteran or survivor cannot manage VA benefit payments, VA names a fiduciary: a person or organization it trusts to manage those payments. VA arranges a visit (a "field examination") to decide, and your parent can suggest someone they trust, such as a spouse, relative or caregiver who will serve without a fee. If no suitable person is available, VA appoints a professional fiduciary. See VA fiduciary help.

Letting family talk to Social Security and Medicare

  • Social Security: your parent can sign form SSA-3288 (Consent for Release of Information) so Social Security can give information to you. Unless it says otherwise, it covers one request and is valid for a year (90 days for medical records).
  • Appeals and claims: to have someone act for them in a claim or appeal, your parent can appoint a representative with form SSA-1696. A representative cannot charge a fee unless Social Security approves it.
  • Medicare: by law, your parent must give 1-800-MEDICARE permission in writing before it can talk to you about their care. Use form CMS-10106 (Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information). Your parent can submit it online through their Medicare.gov account, or mail it to: 1-800-MEDICARE, Written Authorization Dept., PO Box 1270, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Free help

Check what you may qualify for

Sources

Page last reviewed: 2026-10-18