Legal Question in Social Security Law in Maryland

Rent and SSA

I am 72, retired and a cancer patient. I recently took in a young friend who became homeless from a car accident. He is trying to apply for Disability. He was approved by SSA, and I have charged him no rent for six months because he is recieving food stamps and temp disability. I would like to know if I go and represent him and claim I need to get rent from him ($400) a month, including utilities, will that affect my own retirement SSA benefits. SSA wants me to represent him because he is a psych patient, and I have to cash his checks for him, and also they want to know if I am currently charging him rent. He is not paying me any rent now, but I would like to get rent so he can help pay the utility bills.


Asked on 6/12/07, 2:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Randall Selagy F. Randall Selagy, P.C.

Re: Rent and SSA

Generally, income should not effect your Retirement benefit but if you are receiving SSI it may - check with your local SSA office.

It sounds like SSA is asking you to act as your friend's Represetative Payee - which means that SSA sends his check to you and you act as trustee of these funds. You may have to give an accounting to SSA of how the funds were spent.

You also want to be his landlord. I do not think you will have a problem charging room & board, so long as it is reasonable.

I suggest that you go to the Social Security office and let them explain what your responsibilities will be if you agree to be the Representative Payee and whether SSA has a problem with your charging rent, etc.

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Answered on 6/12/07, 7:20 pm


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