Representative Payee Service in Fergus Falls, MN
About Us
Mission Statement
Mission: The mission of GNH Records Management, Inc. is to ensure that individuals with mental/physical disabilities have their financial resources protected and properly used for their support, care, and welfare. Our goal is to represent clients in an honorable manner; create a budget for each of our clients; assist them in budgeting their finances, and transition them with the ability to become responsible for their own bills and finances. Program: For people with physical and mental disabilities, we managed their finances which included budgeting and bill payment.
What is a Representative Payee?
What is a Representative Payee? The Representative Payee manages Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security benefits (SSDI, RSDI) for individuals who have been informed by the Social Security Administration that they need to obtain an institutional payee or who need assistance managing their benefits.
The purpose of the program is to ensure that individuals are able to continue to live independently. A Representative Payee ensures that each individual’s basic needs and payment obligations are met in a timely and consistent basis.
How Does the Rep Payee Program Work? As your Rep Payee, we keep records of your monthly benefits received and how that money is spent. SSI/Social Security benefits are directly deposited in the Representative Payee account, and the Rep Payee works with the consumer to manage funds and ensure that needs and payment obligations are being met.
Who Needs a Representative Payee? The law requires most minor children and all legally incompetent adults to have payees. In all other situations, adult beneficiaries are presumed to be capable of managing benefits. If there is evidence to the contrary, however, SSA may gather evidence and determine there is a need to appoint a representative payee.
What are the Benefits of Having a Rep Payee? Basic needs will be met each month Continue to live independently Accountability to self and others with payment of monthly expenses Reduced stress and anxiety about money
Is There a Fee for This Service? There is a set fee per month to provide this service.
SSI and SSDI
SSI
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) OVERVIEW WHAT IS SSI? SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI. HOW IS SSI DIFFERENT FROM SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS? Many people who are eligible for SSI may also be entitled to Social Security benefits. In fact, the application for SSI is also an application for Social Security benefits. However, SSI and Social Security are different in many ways. Social Security benefits may be paid to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured” meaning you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work or a family member's prior work. SSI is financed by general funds of the U.S. Treasury--personal income taxes, corporate and other taxes. Social Security taxes collected under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) or the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) do notfund the SSI program. In most States, SSI recipients also can get medical assistance (Medicaid)- to pay for hospital stays, doctor bills, prescription drugs, and other health costs. Many States also provide a supplemental payment to certain SSI recipients. SSI recipients may also be eligible for food assistance in every State except California. In some States, an application for SSI also serves as an application for food assistance. SSI benefits are paid on the first of the month. To get SSI, you must be disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old and have "limited" income and resources. In addition, to get SSI, you must also: reside in the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands; not be absent from the country for a full calendar month or more or for 30 consecutive days or more; and be either a U.S. citizen or national, or in one of certain categories of qualified non–citizens. HOW IS SSI LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS? Both programs pay monthly benefits. The medical standards for disability are generally the same in both programs for individuals age 18 or older. For children from birth to the attainment of age 18 there is a separate definition of disability under SSI. The medical standard is based on the severity of your disability and financial need is not considered at this step in the eligibility process. SSA administers both programs.
SSDI
The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program. Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are "insured," meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Supplemental Security Income pays benefits based on financial need.