Form SSA-788 Statement of Care and Responsibility for Beneficiary

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Form Approved
OMB No. 0960-0109

TOE 250

STATEMENT OF CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR BENEFICIARY
In replying, use this address:
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

NAME AND ADDRESS OF CUSTODIAN

TELEPHONE NUMBER
DATE

See Revised PA
Statement

SSA CONTACT

IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
Sections 205(a) and 205(j) of the Social Security Act allow us to ask for the
information on this form. Although responses to these questions are voluntary, the (if different from patient)
information you provide is needed to establish an applicant's suitability to serve as
representative payee.
NAME OF WAGE EARNER OR SELF-EMPLOYED
PERSON
We may also use the information you give us when we match records by computer.
Matching programs compare our records with those of other Federal, State, or local
government agencies. Many agencies may use matching programs to find or prove
that a person qualifies for benefits paid by the Federal government. The law allows
us to do this even if you do not agree to it.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
Explanations about these and other reasons why information you provide us may be
used or given out are available in Social Security offices. If you want to learn more
about this, contact any Social Security office.
APPLICANT'S NAME AND ADDRESS

BENEFICIARY NAME

BENEFICIARY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

APPLICANT'S RELATIONSHIP TO BENEFICIARY

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
The applicant shown above has applied to be appointed representative payee for the above beneficiary. We need
you to complete this form and return it to us in the enclosed envelope. The information you provide will help us
decide if we should pay this person directly or if he or she needs a representative payee to handle funds. If a
representative payee is needed, you will help us to determine the responsibility assumed by the applicant for the
beneficiary's well-being. Thank you for your help.
1. DATE BENEFICIARY BEGAN LIVING
WITH YOU
(month/day/year)

HOW LONG WILL
BENEFICIARY LIVE WITH
YOU?

REASON BENEFICIARY DOES NOT LIVE WITH THE APPLICANT

2. If the beneficiary is not living with you, where and with whom is the beneficiary living and when did he or she leave your care?

3. Do you believe the beneficiary is capable of managing or directing the management of benefits in his or her own best interest?
By capable we mean the beneficiary:
• Is able to understand and act on the ordinary affairs of life, such as
providing for own food, housing, clothing, etc., and
• Is able, in spite of physical impairments, to manage funds or direct
others how to manage them.
If ''NO'' or ''Unsure," please provide a brief explanation.

Form SSA-788-F4 (09-2007) EF (09-2007) Destroy Prior Editions
Formerly SSA-788

YES

NO

UNSURE

4. Please show the approximate amount you charge each month for the
beneficiary's room, board, and care

--

5. Does (or did) any agency, including the applicant, pay toward the cost of the
beneficiary's care and maintenance?

PER MONTH
$

YES

NO

If ''Yes,'' please supply the information requested below.
NAME AND ADDRESS

AMOUNT CONTRIBUTED

HOW OFTEN CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MADE

6. How often and when was the last time the applicant did any of the things shown below for the beneficiary?
VISIT

SENDS CLOTHING

SENDS OTHER GIFTS

WRITES LETTERS

How often?
Last Time?
7. List the names and relationship of any other relatives or close friends who have provided support and/or show interest in the claimant.
Describe the type and amount of support and/or how interest is displayed.
NAME
ADDRESS/PHONE NO.
RELATIONSHIP
SUPPORT/INTEREST

8. Does the beneficiary have any unmet personal needs at this time?

YES

NO

If "Yes,'' please list the needs.

9. In emergency situations, where the beneficiary needs surgery, becomes seriously ill, etc., who would you notify?
ADDRESS
NAME

1 0. Does the applicant give you any instructions for the care of the beneficiary?

YES

NO

If ''Yes,'' explain what those instructions are, how often they are given, and what the applicant does to see that they are carried out.

Form SSA-788-F4 (09-2007) EF (09-2007)

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REMARKS: (This space may be used for explaining any answers to the questions. If you need more space, attach a separate sheet.)

I declare under penalty of perjury that I have examined all the information on this form, and on any accompanying
statements or forms, and it is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that anyone who
knowingly gives a false or misleading statement about a material fact in this information, or causes someone else
to do so, commits a crime and may be sent to prison, or may face other penalties, or both.
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement - This information collection meets the requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507, as
amended by Section 2 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. You do not need to answer these questions
unless we display a valid Office of Management and Budget control number. We estimate that it will take about
10 minutes to read the instructions, gather the facts, and answer the questions. SEND THE COMPLETED FORM
TO YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE. The office is listed under U. S. Government agencies in your
telephone directory or you may call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You may send comments on our time
estimate above to: SSA, 1338 Annex Building, Baltimore, MD 21235-0001. Send only comments relating to
our time estimate to this address, not the completed form. See Revised Paperwork Reduction Act
SIGNATURE OF PERSON Statement
MAKING STATEMENT
SIGNATURE (First name, middle initial, last name) (Write in ink)

DATE (Month, day, year)

SIGN
HERE

TELEPHONE NUMBER (include area code)

MAILING ADDRESS (Number and street, Apt. No., P.O. Box, or Rural Route)

CITY AND STATE

NAME OF COUNTY (IF ANY)

ZIP CODE

Witnesses are required ONLY if this statement has been signed by mark (X) above. If signed by mark (X), two witnesses to
the signing who know the individual must sign below, giving their full address.
1. SIGNATURE OF WITNESS

2. SIGNATURE OF WITNESS

ADDRESS (No. & Street, City, State & ZIP Code)

Form SSA-788-F4 (09-2007)EF (09-2007)

ADDRESS (No. & Street, City, State & ZIP Code)

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REMARKS: (Continued--If you need more space, please attach a separate sheet)

Form SSA-788-F4 (09-2007) EF (09-2007)

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The following revised Privacy Act Statement will be inserted into the form
at its next scheduled reprinting:

Privacy Act Statement
Collection and Use of Personal Information
Sections 205(a) and 205(j) of the Social Security Act, as amended, authorize us to collect
the information on this form. The information you provide will help us establish your
suitability to serve as representative payee. Your response is voluntary. However, failure
to provide the requested information may prevent our decision to select you as
representative payee.
We rarely use the information provided on this form for any purpose other than for
establishing payee suitability. However, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b) of the
Privacy Act, we may disclose the information provided on this form (1) to enable a third
party or an agency to assist Social Security in evaluating payee applicants’ suitability to
be named representative payees; (2) to claimants or other individuals when needed to
pursue a claim for recovery of misapplied or misused benefits; (3) to comply with Federal
laws requiring the disclosure of the information from our records; and (4) to facilitate
statistical research, audit or investigative activities necessary to assure the integrity of
SSA programs.
We may also use the information you provide when we match records by computer.
Computer matching programs compare our records with those of other Federal, state or
local government agencies. Information from these matching programs can be used to
establish or verify a person’s eligibility for federally funded or administered benefit
programs and for repayment of payments or delinquent debts under these programs. The
law allows us to do this even if you do not agree to it.
A complete list of routine uses for this information is contained in our System of Records
Notice 60-0222 (Master Representative Payee File). Additional information regarding
this form and our other systems of records notices and Social Security programs are
available from our Internet website at www.socialsecurity.gov or at your local Social
Security office.

The following revised PRA Statement will be inserted into the form at its
next scheduled reprinting:
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement - This information collection meets the
requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507, as amended by section 2 of the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995. You do not need to answer these questions unless we display a valid Office
of Management and Budget control number. We estimate that it will take about 10
minutes to read the instructions, gather the facts, and answer the questions. SEND OR
BRING THE COMPLETED FORM TO YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY
OFFICE. The office is listed under U. S. Government agencies in your telephone
directory or you may call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
You may send comments on our time estimate above to: SSA, 6401 Security Blvd,
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401. Send only comments relating to our time estimate to this
address, not the completed form.