Rep Payee Funds Can Be Transferred to Beneficiary

March 10, 2010

Author: Catherine M. Callery (Kate) | Louise M. Tarantino

SSA is “revising our regulations to allow a representative payee who will no longer be serving in that capacity to transfer accumulated benefit payments and interest directly to a beneficiary if we determine that it would be in the best interest of the beneficiary.  This change will give us more flexibility in deciding how conserved funds should be handled in these circumstances.  The change will also reduce or eliminate delays in the delivery of conserved funds to some beneficiaries.” 75 Fed. Reg. 7551 (February 22, 2010).  In response to one comment received, SSA notes that the changes will not otherwise affect current rules on reissuing benefits if a payee misused funds, how the replaced benefits will be handled, or how SSA chooses a payee.  This final rule will be effective March 24, 2010, and amends 20 C.F.R. §§404.2060, 416.660.