Q: What is a representative payee?
A: A representative payee is an individual or organization appointed by the Social Security Administration to manage the benefits paid to a Social Security beneficiary. 

Q: How much does it cost?
A: S.N.E.S.A.A.’s monthly fee is $43 or the lesser of 10% of the combined Social Security and S.S.I. monthly payments. Example: If benefits check is $270, S.N.E.S.A.A.’s monthly fee would be $27.  This fee is below the S.S.A. guidelines of $44 respectively.

Q. How can I become a client of S.N.E.S.A.A.?

A: Step 1:  Contact Kim Santos, for each new client, by phone 774-365-4441 or email info@snesaa.org.
    Step 2:  Fill Out, Sign and Fax or Email S.N.E.S.A.A. the New Client Referral Forms.

Once we receive these forms we will file an application with the Social Security Administration. It usually takes 6-12 weeks to be appointed once the application has been submitted. Services cannot be provided until S.N.E.S.A.A. has been approved by the Social Security Administration.

Q. What can I expect once S.N.E.S.A.A. is appointed as Representative Payee?
A. Once S.N.E.S.A.A has received a client's funds we touch base with the client's appointed contact person (caseworker etc.) and review all necessary expenses. We then budget the client’s account and begin payments. S.N.E.S.A.A. sends annual reports to the Social Security Administration. S.N.E.S.A.A. advocates on behalf of clients as needed.

Q. What happens if the client’s expenses exceed the client’s income?
A. S.N.E.S.A.A.’s budget priorities start with food and shelter. Additional bills are paid based on the level of priority until the funds are exhausted. S.N.E.S.A.A. has no reserved funds to assist clients with bills once client funds are depleted.

Q. How much can a client earn?
A. Social Security answers these and many other questions in their electronic pamphlet “Working While Disabled--How We Can Help”

Q: What do I do if I think someone has stolen my Social Security number?
A: Social Security answers all questions related identity theft in their electronic phamphlet "Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number"

Q: How will S.N.E.S.A.A. manage my money?
A: S.N.E.S.A.A. is responsible for paying for basic needs from your client’s benefit checks. This includes expenses for housing, food, clothing, medical needs, and personal expenses. A budget is established allocating these amounts on a monthly basis.

Q: How will I know what bills are paid and how my client’s expenses are used?
A: Register reports are available upon request.

Q: How and when will my client get their spending money?
A: Personal money is distributed by mail in accordance with the monthly budget and/or client contract.

Q: What if my client wants to buy something – like a new TV – that is not in their budget?
A: If there are sufficient funds in your client’s account all you need to do is fill out and submit a check request form. If a client does not have enough funds for optional spending after monthly basic needs have been paid, S.N.E.S.A.A. can make budget suggestions to achieve savings for discretionary spending.

Q. What happens to client funds when they get a new payee?
A. Social Security requires that all conserved funds be returned to the Social Security Administration. A receipt is issued to S.N.E.S.A.A. for funds received and then the funds are forwarded to the new representative payee by the S.S.A.

Q. What is the check payment schedule for Clients?

• Clients that receive only S.S.I.:  S.N.E.S.A.A. receives the Direct Deposits from S.S.A. on the first of the month and all the monthly payments will be mailed out in the 5 p.m. mail on the first day of every month.
• Clients that receive only R.S.D.I./S.S.D.I.: S.N.E.S.A.A. recieves the Direct Deposits from S.S.A. on the third day of each month and all the monthly payments will be mailed out in the 5 p.m. mail on the third day of every month.  
• Clients that receive both S.S.I. and R.S.D.I./S.S.D.I.:  S.N.E.S.A.A. receives the Direct Deposits from S.S.A. on the first and third of the month and all monthly payments will be mailed out in the 5 p.m. mail on the third of every month.
• Clients that receive a weekly check:  Weekly checks are mailed out every Saturday in the noon time mail.

Need more information?

You can contact us at info@snesaa.org, or visit the Social Security Administration Web site www.socialsecurity.gov.