Attorneys as representative payees?

An article in Bifocal, the journal of the American Bar Association's Commission on Law and Aging, notes that the Social Security Administration is "considering several long-term strategies" to address the fact that there are numerous social security recipients who are of limited capacity, in need of a representative payee, but for whom no suitable family member or friend is available. The SSA believes that attorneys, regardless of their areas of practice, are particularly qualified to serve in this role on a pro bono basis. (What is not mentioned in the article is that retired attorneys are in an even better position to serve.)

The SSA is pursuing a pilot program in the State of Maryland and will consider expanding it to other states depending on the response.