Community Services

Provide an essential service to individuals who are required by the Social Security Administration to have a Representative Payee (Rep-Payee) and also provide voluntary money management to those who want assistance navigating the public assistance system. 

Many adults living with mental health barriers and other challenging social situations lack practical skills in managing their finances—which puts their housing stability at risk, along with a host of related problems.

Conard House offers services to more than 1,100 adults at two Community Services Centers. We counsel clients on the most effective ways to stretch their limited resources. We also directly handle finances for clients, disbursing client funds for rent, food, clothing and personal needs. 

The services are free, easily accessible and provide flexibility to fit individual needs. The core services of the Representative Payee (Rep-Payee) program include: money management, income advocacy, and assis­tance finding or maintaining housing. Our staff works in collaboration with clients to develop a monthly spending budget that covers basic needs and allows for personal expenses throughout the month. 

Staff provides support services and refer­rals to community resources such as medical services, mental health, legal assistance, substance use services, and food and clothing donation resources. Case Managers often times act as the liaison of services with other providers. For some clients, staff is their only sup­port provider in the community. 

Our team assists clients with maintaining housing stability by making timely rent payments, negotiating rent rates with private SRO landlords, communicating with property management and helping to resolve lease violations as well as advocating for tenant's rights and referring clients to legal services as needed.

How can I sign up for the Representative Payee Program? How can I refer someone to the program?

Please email reppayee@conard.org with any specific questions you may have about our representative payee program. This is also the same email to obtain the latest referral form and instructions on how to apply to the program.  

How long does it take for clients to be enrolled into the Representative Payee Program?

Processing time varies on a case by case basis. Some factors that can affect processing time are:

• mandated application
• date of submission
• processing time of Social Security Administration

The general consensus is between 1 to 2 months.

How do I follow up on the status of my referral?

Please email reppayee@conard.org for updates. Once enrolled into the program, the representative site will be the point of contact and you will be able to reach out to the case manager assigned to the referral.

Who is eligible for the representative payee program?
Social Security Administration mandated individuals are eligible for the program. Any individual that is recommended by a licensed clinician through the SSA-787 form (Medical Source Opinion of Patient’s Capability to Manage Benefits) where the applicant also agrees to participate in the program is also eligible for the representative payee program. Individuals that are voluntary but have no SSA-787 form will not be eligible. Social workers submitting the SSA-787 with no applicant agreement will not be eligible either. For clarification, please email reppayee@conard.org.