Social Security Announces Advance Designation for Representative Payees

As announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA):

“We updated our Representative Payee Program offering an option to beneficiaries and applicants for Social Security benefits to provide Advance Designation.  On April 13, 2018, the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018 became law.  One of the provisions of the law, Section 201, allows beneficiaries and claimants to designate preferred individual(s) to serve as payee should the need arise, and requires SSA to select the designated individual with certain exemptions.

The implementation of Advance Designation adds new protections to the representative payee program for both the public and Social Security.  Advance Designation allows all capable Title II, Title VIII, and Title XVI adult and emancipated minor applicants and beneficiaries to designate a representative payee in advance when applying for benefits or with their my Social Security account.

Advance Designation provides beneficiaries more control over their financial future, reduces instances of elder abuse, and will help SSA find qualified representative payee candidates more quickly.  Learn more about this update here.

Please share this information with your members and constituents.  For questions, contact us at [email protected].”