Representative Payee

Our payee and bill-payment clients do not have to worry about their finances or their bills. All bills are paid on time according to a budget that is set up for each individual client. We work to establish emergency savings for our clients for life’s unexpected occurrences. We prioritize for the client, keeping their needs set as the top priority. We issue funds to the client each week so that they can see to their needs for personal spending including groceries, etc. We keep an electronic ledger for each client which shows their current positive balance at any given time. The individual does not need to keep or open an individual checking account. The checks we issue can be cashed free-of-charge at any of the banks where we do business. Also, we offer the convenience of a pre-paid NetSpend debit card for personal spending that can be used wherever Visa is accepted. The NetSpend card can also be used to withdraw cash with no fee at any MoneyPass ATM.

• 1) Please print and/or view the information listed under Client Bill of Rights & Responsibilities. This packet explains our services and your rights and responsibilities as a Representative Payee client. This packet is for you to keep and review as needed.
• 2) If you are interested in Representative Payee services, you have two options. You can either:
• 2a) Complete the online form listed under Intake Forms which is labeled as Intake Form and then click Submit to send the information electronically to our office. We have a secure website and your information will be securely transmitted to our organization.
• 2b) Please print and complete the appropriate forms listed under Intake Forms.  The form labeled Intake Form must be completed for all new Representative Payee applicants. Upon completion, you have several options:
  • Mail the form(s) to us; LifeSpan, 1900 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton, OH, 45011
  • Bring the papers to our office Monday-Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm
  • You may also fax to our office at 513-868-3249 
• 3) If you are a first-time payee client (never had payee services with a company or relative), the Physician Form needs to be completed. This form is requested by the Social Security Administration and is listed on our website. Please print a copy of this form and have it completed by your physician and returned to us with your Intake Form; either attached to your electronic submission or included with your paper application.

NOTE: If you have a Guardian, the Letter of Guardianship also needs to be submitted with any Intake Forms received; either attached to your electronic submission or included with your paper application.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you have a clear budget set up?
• Are your bills paid on time each month?
• Are all of your bills current, with no disconnection warnings or double payments due?
• Do you have any emergency savings?
• Are you prioritizing your needs over your wants each month?
• Are you keeping food in the house?
• Are you buying all of your groceries vs. getting groceries from a free source (food pantry, etc.)?
• Are you paying cash for things rather than putting a lot of things on credit or writing bad checks?
• Are you able to think clearly and rationally concerning your spending and bill-paying responsibilities?
• Is your checking account free of overdraft charges?
• Is your phone free of collection phone calls?
• Are you physically and mentally able to write checks and manage a checking account?

If you answered No to any of these questions, you may be in need of financial guidance and support that could be obtained through our payee services or bill-paying services.

Our Representative Payee program serves the entire state of Ohio.

Yes, the fee set by Social Security for an Organizational Representative Payee is $42 per month or 10% of your income, whichever is less.

For clients not receiving Social Security who are interested in for our bill-paying service; the fee is $50 per month and covers a budget set-up including 15 budgeted items. If more than 15 budgeted items are required, the fee will increase per every five items.

Please call 513-868-3210 for more specific questions about our service fee(s).

We do not currently have a waiting list.

If Social Security determines that you are unable to manage your funds or direct someone else to manage your funds, they will require you to have a payee. Some examples are:

• An individual was awarded Social Security benefits because of mental health issue. The individual’s record contained findings that showed a history of spending a large portion of her money on alcohol, drugs, and gambling due to their disorder. Also, the individual confirmed this information at their hearing. As a result, the SSA came to the conclusion that this individual should have a representative payee in order to have their benefits managed appropriately.
• An individual was awarded Social Security benefits based on an intellectual disability. The individual had only a primary education and was unable to do basic math calculations or read and comprehend what they were reading. They had not worked with money or managed a checking account in their past. As a result, the SSA came to the conclusion this individual would not be able to handle their finances and so they required the individual to have a representative payee.
• An individual was awarded benefits because of early-onset Alzheimer’s. They were still able to look after their basic physical needs; however, they had difficulty with organization and experienced confusion about their finances and bill-paying obligations. Also, their judgment was affected they were found to be misusing money and neglecting their basic needs. Due to the individual’s symptoms, the SSA came to the conclusion that it was in the best interest of the individual to have a representative payee.