Capitol Correspondence - 12.11.17

House Introduces Bill Strengthening Protections for Representative Payee Program

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U.S. Representatives Sam Johnson (R-TX) and John Larson (D-CT), members of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee, introduced the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2017 this week. While a fact sheet for the bill can be found here, in summary it has provisions to:

  • Require additional types of onsite reviews of payee performance;
  • Eliminate the requirement to file the annual accounting form for payees who are parents living with their child or spouses;
  • Require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to identify whether a beneficiary is in foster care and provide a feasibility study to improve coordination between Adult Protection Services and the SSA;
  • Allow advance designation of preferred payees; and
  • Codify the policy that bans individuals with certain criminal convictions from service as payees (including those currently serving as payees).

ANCOR is monitoring this legislation and will keep members updated on its developments.