Who Needs a Payee?

A Representative Payee is appointed when an individual receives benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) but is unable to manage his or her own funds. SSA usually looks for a Payee among the beneficiary’s family or friends, but this traditional network of support is not available for many beneficiaries. In these cases, Care 1st is authorized by SSA to serve as an Organization Payee. Care 1st serves as Representative Payee for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, dementia, substance use disorders, chronic homelessness, and/or other conditions that limit the capacity to manage money.