Payeeship is a form of money management designed for individuals who, because of physical or mental disability, are unable to manage their benefit checks in a way that ensures that their basic living needs are met. The Social Service Administration reserves the right to appoint representative payees to their beneficiaries regardless of the legal competence of the individuals in question. Once assigned, a representative payee receives his or her client's disability checks directly, and is responsible for ensuring that basic needs, such as rent, utilities, food and clothing, are paid for before allowing the client to spend money on other items. Although assigning a client to Payeeship is an administrative decision made by SSA, the process of assigning is generally initiated by a client's case manager or therapist, and is based on clinical judgment.

In the case of mental illness, Payeeship provision can improve community tenure by ensuring that rent is paid consistently and on time. It can also ensure that clients have enough money to provide food for themselves from one check to the next, and can help clients learn to budget their money so they can save for personal items and larger purchases.

The benefits of Payeeship that go beyond meeting basic living needs may include:

• Reduced inpatient and emergency hospitalization
• Increased treatment compliance
• Improved quality of life
• Reduced victimization related to money
• Increased use of community services
• Decreased substance abuse
• Reduced symptomatology
• Reduced physical health symptomatology

Payeeship service is provided for individuals receiving Blick Clinic Residential services. It is also available for individuals who are eligible for Summit DD services.