What is the primary responsibility of a Social Security representative payee?

The primary responsibility of a Social Security representative payee is to receive the beneficiary's Social Security benefits and manage how those funds are spent. This includes ensuring that necessary expenses, such as bills for housing, food, and medical care, are paid on behalf of the beneficiary. The payee acts in the best interest of the beneficiary, making sure that the funds are used appropriately to meet their needs.

In this role, the payee must keep accurate records of income and expenditures and may also need to provide reports to the Social Security Administration regarding how the benefits are being used. This understanding is crucial because the payee is not designed to manage investments nor oversee the beneficiary’s medical care; those responsibilities fall outside their scope. Additionally, filing tax returns is not typically part of the payee's duties unless specifically required, making the focus on bill payment and management of benefit funds the most accurate description of the role.