Social Security Advisory Board

This independent study describes SSA's current processes for selection of representative payees for adults. As part of the study, Pamela Teaster and Laura Sands (Virginia Tech Center on Gerontology), and Erica Wood (formerly American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging) conducted in-depth interviews and surveyed field office managers. The authors identify a number of recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Social Security's payee appointment and selection.

This report outlines concrete steps to protect vulnerable Social Security beneficiaries and recipients. The report includes recommendations for Congress, the Office of Management and Budget and SSA to strengthen the current administrative process, create better monitoring and explore comprehensive, government-wide coordination and cross-agency reform of rep-payee processes.