Representative payee accounts
Manage a representative payee account with confidence
Learn more about representative payee bank accounts at Chase
What is a representative payee?
A representative payee is a person or organization chosen by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to manage someone's Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This is usually done when a person cannot manage their money on their own because of age, illness, or disability. The representative payee uses the money to pay for the person's needs, like housing, food, and medical care, and keeps records of how the money is spent.
What is a representative payee bank account?
A representative payee bank account is a special account used to manage Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for someone who cannot handle their own money. The account is set up by the representative payee, who is chosen by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This account keeps the person's benefits separate from other money and is used to pay for their needs, like housing, food, and medical care. The representative payee must follow SSA rules and keep records of how the money is spent.
Opening a representative payee bank account
To open a representative payee bank account, you will need your representative payee documents and IDs, and then schedule a meeting with a banker at a Chase branch.
Required representative payee documents
To get started, you should bring documents that confirm the appointment of the named representative payee.
Representative payee document examples
- Letter of appointment
- Award letter
- Statement of benefits
- Federal benefit check made payable to representative payee for beneficiary
Other document examples (if applicable)
- Name change documents
Required identification
Representative payee will need primary and secondary IDs that display their current U.S. residential address.
All ID requirements (PDF) are subject to change based on account or customer information. Please contact your local branch for additional ID requirements.
U.S. citizens
Primary ID examples
- Driver's license
- State ID
- U.S. Passport
Secondary ID examples
- Credit or debit card
- Bank statement
- Recent pay stub or utility bill in your name
Non-U.S. citizens
Primary ID examples
- Passport with photo
- U.S. Employment authorization card
- Matricula consular card
Secondary ID examples
- Driver's license
- Bank statement
- Recent pay stub or utility bill in your name
Schedule a meeting with a Chase banker
After you've gathered your documents, you will need to schedule a meeting with a banker to open or service your representative payee bank account. If you are a client of JPMorgan Chase Private Client, please reach out to your Relationship Manager or Senior Private Client Banker to open a representative payee bank account. You may have to visit a Chase branch more than once. Requirements may vary by state.
FAQs
A representative payee is a person or organization chosen by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to manage a person's Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This is usually done when a person cannot manage their money on their own because of age, illness, or disability. The representative payee uses the money to pay for the person's needs, like housing, food, and medical care, and keeps records of how the money is spent.
A representative payee bank account is a special account used to manage Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for someone who cannot handle their own money. The account is set up by the representative payee, who is chosen by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This account keeps the person's benefits separate from other money and is used to pay for their housing, food, and medical care. The representative payee must follow SSA rules and keep records of how the money is spent.
A representative payee account can be opened by the person or organization appointed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to manage someone's Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. To open the account, they need to bring documents from the SSA that show they are the official representative payee.
After you have your documents from the Social Security Administration (SSA), you will need to schedule an in-person meeting with a banker to open or service a representative payee account. At this time, you cannot open a representative payee account online.
No, you cannot convert an existing account into a representative payee bank account. You will need to open a new account for this purpose.
A beneficiary is a person who receives Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Beneficiaries can be adults or children who qualify for these benefits. Sometimes, a beneficiary needs help managing their money and a representative payee is appointed to help.
A representative payee is a person or organization chosen by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to manage Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for someone who cannot do it themselves. Only a representative payee can receive and use these benefits for the person. A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that lets an agent make decisions for another person, but it does not give them the right to manage Social Security or SSI payments. If you want to help with Social Security or SSI benefits, you must be appointed by SSA as a representative payee, even if you already have a POA.
If the representative payee is a business, the representative of the business will need to bring additional documents that show they are authorized to act on behalf of the business. The specific documentation required may depend on the type of business entity.
No, the beneficiary is not able to make transactions on the account or view account information. Only the representative payee can manage and access the account.