It's easier for eligible individuals who require the assistance of a representative payee to open and manage an ABLEnow account.
If an eligible individual cannot open their ABLEnow account, or would prefer to have assistance, an Authorized Representative can open and manage the account for them. Now, a representative payee can serve as an Authorized Representative for an eligible individual.
ABLEnow is the first ABLE program to offer this enrollment option.
What is a Representative Payee?
Millions of Americas who receive monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits need help managing their money. In these situations, a relative, friend, or other interested party can serve as the representative payee. The representative payee receives the individual’s SSI payments and has authority to use the funds on their behalf.
Learn more about the role of a representative payee on the Social Security Administration website.
Open an ABLE Account as a Representative Payee
Open an ABLEnow account with this new enrollment option by selecting “I am the representative payee of the designated beneficiary” in the application. Follow the prompts to upload a copy of your letter from the Social Security Administration notifying you of your appointment as the representative payee for the eligible individual. This documentation must be approved by ABLEnow before contributing or withdrawing funds from an ABLEnow account or using the ABLEnow Card.
Learn more about who can serve as the Authorized Representative for an eligible individual and the order of priority in the Frequently Asked Questions. Remember, an eligible individual may only have one ABLE account at any time.
Serve and Save More Effectively
Serving as a representative payee is an important responsibility. Representative payees are required to receive and hold the beneficiary’s benefit payments as directed by Social Security Administration, as well as maintain records of how the payments are spent or saved.
For specific information on using an ABLE account in conjunction with an individual’s Social Security Administration benefits, talk with a Social Security representative at your local Social Security Administration office.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to save for the future. This enhancement will allow even more people to open an ABLEnow account.
