Here’s where people get into trouble all of the time.  Someone has been awarded disability benefits and the Government has mandated that a third party serve as the Representative Payee. Now, for those of you who are not familiar with what a Representative Payee is, let me enlighten you.  This person is typically a third person who is charged with the responsibility of receiving money on behalf of a recipient of Social Security Disability benefits.   As such, this Rep Payee is responsible for making sure that the person’s money is being spent on behalf of the individual.  The Rep Payee has to make sure the money is being used in the manner the individual who would have used it.  For instance, if the disabled person is renting a place, the money should be used for rent.  If the disabled person has bills, the rep payee has to make sure the money is used for bills.   So, I’m hoping you get the general idea. Here’s where it gets ‘coo coo’ for cocoa puffs!  In some situations, the rep payee will take the money and use it for things OTHER than what the Rep Payee should be using it. OH MY GOSH! CAN YOU BELIEVE??!!!!! (lol) It’s sad because the person who is harmed the most is the disabled person who is not getting the benefit of the money.  However, what most people don’t appreciate is that when you have agreed to be a Representative Payee, you are agreeing to be fiscally responsible for this disabled person’s assets and, as such, you have a fiduciary responsibility. Now, for those of you who got lost in all those crazy words that I just laid out there, let me put it in plainer English for you.  If you use the money that was meant for the disabled person in some other manner than for the disabled person, you may be looking federal fraud charges!!!! That’s right! I said it!!  So many times, people get the ‘high pro glow’ when they are Rep Payee because they think that they are getting something for nothing. The government is giving them money and they start thinking that it’s THEIR money!!! Listen, I applaud all of those persons who take on the responsibility of being Rep Payee.  It takes alot of time and energy to monitor your own funds and finances and so it’s tougher when you have to monitor someone else’s finances as well.  Just remember, it is to your advantage to pay close attention to the financial responsibility that you took on when you decided to be representative payee.  If you feel that you are at a point where you can’t do it, walk away.   The last thing you want to do is screw up someone’s money.