Direct Deposit

Social Security strongly encourages direct deposit instead of paper checks.

Representative Payees

Some claimants may desire or be required to have a representative payee. Social Security makes a determination on whether the proposed representative payee is suitable. Representative payees can be held personally liable for reporting failures and misuse of the claimant's funds.

The standard for having a representative payee is not the same as for guardianship or incompetency. Instead, it is whether the claimant wants to and is capable of handling his or her own financial affairs.