The FO is responsible for finding the person or organization best suited to be payee and is required to keep a list of available payees located in the local service area and community. FOs are encouraged to develop ongoing, cooperative relationships with community social service providers who can often provide payee contacts. Good working relationships with these providers may also help provide insight into a beneficiary’s well-being and daily life. In addition, local social service providers may also serve as good reference contacts to verify allegations made by other payee applicants.

NOTE: The list of available payees is for SSA use only. When contacting prospective payees or potential sources of payee leads, only disclose information necessary to assist us with selecting a representative payee. For information about the limited disclosures SSA can make without consent to the prospective payee, see GN 03316.120A.1. For information about the limited disclosures SSA can make without consent to general third party contacts to assist SSA in locating a suitable representative payee and administer SSA programs, see GN 03316.065F and GN 03316.065H.

Additionally, it is important for the FO to utilize the advance designee list when finding a suitable payee. The advance designee list is the first lead in payee development, per GN 00502.085I. However, advance designation of representative payee does not replace complete payee suitability development. If the beneficiary has no advance designation(s), FO technicians must look at other sources and develop for a suitable payee using the preferred representative payee order of selection (see GN 00502.105).

What Sources Should I Look at to Find a Payee?

Finding a suitable payee can vary from asking the beneficiary to finding information in medical records. Do not overlook any potential source to find a suitable payee. See GN 03980.070 when an SSA employee is an applicant or payee.

Some of the most common or readily available sources are:

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  advance designation of representative payee list (see GN 00502.085);

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  the incapable adult beneficiary (often, a legally competent adult beneficiary) may be able to tell you who helps him/her with daily living or provide you with the name of the person he/she trusts to help manage his/her money;

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  the beneficiary’s family or a close friend;

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  anyone who acts on behalf of the beneficiary for other payments he/she may be receiving;

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  a social worker;

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  the person/institution who has custody of the beneficiary;

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  the beneficiary’s medical records, which may mention the name of the person who brought the beneficiary in for medical treatment;

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  the claims file, which may include possible leads discovered during an ALJ allowance;

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  possible leads in eLAS, eRPS and information on the SSA-3368;

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  governmental agencies which may be providing social services;

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  social agencies such as the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, the Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Travelers Aid, etc.;

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  advocacy groups located in the community; and

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  faith based organizations

Reminder: Fee-for-service organizations are a payee choice of last resort for adult beneficiaries without a substance abuse disorder. See GN 00502.105B.