SSA has a responsibility to make sure that each representative payee outside the United States applies the benefits they receive in a reasonable and prudent manner. The payee must also account annually for the use of the benefits.

These instructions provide guidelines for obtaining and evaluating accountings from representative payees outside the United States.

In May of each year, SSA mails every representative payee outside the United States a Form SSA-7161-OCR-SM (Report To United States Social Security Administration By Person Receiving Benefits For A Child Or For An Adult Unable To Handle Funds) which must be completed and returned to SSA. This form requests information about:

• •

  the beneficiary's continuing eligibility to benefits,

• •

  the custody of the beneficiary, and

• •

  how the representative payee has used the payments made to them for the beneficiary.

Accountings are requested more frequently if the facts of a case suggest misuse or if there are questions about a payee's suitability.

Preparation, Mailing and Control of Questionnaires: RS 02655.005ff.