In many New Jersey cases, a Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits recipient is in a vulnerable state and unable to handle many aspects of their lives alone. In these cases, they might have a person who handles their payments and helps to oversee their finances. While this is for the benefit of the person getting SSD benefits, it is also a system that is ripe for abuse. People who are getting or seeking Social Security Disability benefits and have someone who will handle or does handle their payments should know about a new law that is going into effect.
President Donald J. Trump has signed a law that will place increased focus on those who are handling another person’s disability payments. The Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018 received unanimous support from Congress. It will subject representative payees to greater oversight when they are managing Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income for another person. As a result, it is important for disability recipients and their representative payees to know what the law entails.
People who have certain criminal convictions in their past will be barred from being a representative payee. It will also stop people who have a representative payee from being the representative payee for someone else. A person getting benefits will have more say in who the representative payee is, as it will let them list their representation preferences. In addition, state advocacy groups will have an increased number of reviews of how representative payees are going about their duties.
Social Security Disability is to benefit those who have illnesses or conditions that prevent them from working. In many cases, these individuals are unable to handle their own finances, and a representative payee is necessary. This new law is designed to protect the disability recipients from abuse. This new law shows that the SSD legal landscape is always changing and can be confusing. But, a legal professional experienced in all areas of Social Security disability can help.
Source: Disability Scoop, “Trump Signs Bill Adding Protections For Social Security, SSI Recipients,” Shaun Heasley, April 17, 2018
