The Office of the Public Guardian as Public Representative Payee acts as a substitute payee as designated by the Social Security Administration for individuals who have difficulty managing money or their financial affairs. On behalf of the individual, the Office of the Public Guardian receives their monthly income, makes payments to cover their monthly expenses and manages their financial resources.

The purpose for this program is to provide financial management for individuals whose needs can be met without the formality of a conservatorship.

Individuals may be referred to this program by a public agency  or a private non-profit. If you represent a public agency or a private non-profit and believe that a client meets the criteria for this program, please call the Office of the Public Guardian. You may talk to staff about whether a particular situation would be appropriate for the Public Guardian prior to submitting a formal referral.

Representatives of a public agency or a private non-profit may submit a referral for this program by contacting the Office of the Public Guardian. The form must be filled out completely. Incomplete referrals will be returned.

If approved, the Office of the Public Guardian will submit a formal application to the Social Security Administration requesting the designation as the Representative Payee.

The Office of the Public Guardian provides services as payee for individuals who:

• Have difficulty managing money or their financial affairs,
• Are requires to have a designated payee ;by the Social Security Administration, and
• Are receiving case management services through another public agency or a private non-profit organization.