Representative Payee Services provide financial management support for individuals with disabilities who are not able to manage their money independently and/or who do not have anyone to assist them. Most individuals with developmental disabilities receive a monthly social security check, typically Supplementary Security Income (SSI), to pay for the cost of food and shelter. In Massachusetts, people who receive an SSI check also automatically receive Medicaid. In order to receive these benefits, reports need to be routinely filed with Social Security Administration. Some individuals with developmental disabilities are able to manage their own monthly check by paying routine bills and completing required reports independently and/or have their families provide assistance. LifeLinks provides financial management support for those individuals who are not able to manage their money independently and/or do not have anyone to assist them. This service is called Representative Payee Services. The fee for this service is $32/month. The Social Security Administration certifies LifeLinks to provide this service under strict guidelines.

When LifeLinks provides Representative Payee Services for someone, that person can expect that LifeLinks will provide financial management support including paying bills and filing reports with Social Security and Medicaid offices. LifeLinks sets up a separate bank account for each individual for whom LifeLinks is representative payee. The individual’s social security check is deposited directly into this account. LifeLinks uses this account to pay the individual’s bills and to provide the individual with cash, if required for small purchases. For more information call: LifeLinks Representative Payee Services at 978.251.0610 extension 530.