More than 1000 area residents rely upon Lutheran Social Services' Representative Payee program for assistance in financial management. Those helped include the mentally ill, the homeless, persons diagnosed as HIV positive and children.
The consequences of being unable to manage personal finances can be severe. Often times, it is children and infants who really suffer. Parents may often misuse federal and state subsidies intended for their children's basic needs. This is where the Representative Payee Office steps in. Our program provides a link to services that ensure children get proper immunizations, adequate health care, nutrition and a good education.
The program also ensures monthly payments of rent and utilities as well as regular and appropriate purchases of food, medicine and other necessities. To help establish a healthy environment, clients also receive assistance with employment opportunities, training programs and living arrangements.
For more information concerning our Representative Payee Program, call 904.448.5995.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT:
Abdul finds his happy ending
“There was a time when I could hardly write my name,” said Abdul, a client of the Lutheran Social Services Representative Payee program.
After he underwent a brain surgery to remove a cyst, Abdul lost his memory for seven months. As a result, Abdul was not able to perform basic tasks. He was unable to write, much less attend to his budgeting needs. His doctor referred him to the LSS Representative Payee Program so his finances could be properly managed.
Many of those served through the Representative Payee Program are sent to LSS by a doctor’s referral. They cannot become their own payee again until the doctor recommends it based upon a revised examination of the patient.
After almost two and a half years in the Representative Payee Program, Abdul enthusiastically welcomed back a normal life when he became his own payee, upon the recommendation of his doctor, in late December 2006.
Abdul was quick to show his appreciation and gratitude to the staff members of the Rep Payee program.
“These people were extremely fantastic,” Abdul said. “If I asked anything, they were always very helpful and always very positive.”
Born in Iran, Abdul can speak four languages - Turkish, Persian, English and Spanish. He enjoys reading and loves learning new things. To this day, he keeps a daily budget of all his expenses, right down to the penny. Abdul said he is excited to start a new chapter in his life, and he is looking forward to owning a computer again as well as learning to speak Chinese.
It is always a blessing to see people become their own payees and take control of their lives once again. Whether it’s a mother being able to provide a safe home for her children, a homeless man being able to put a roof over his head, or a man like Abdul overcoming three brain surgeries and memory loss, it is little miracles like these that put life into perspective.
Three Pathways to Homelessness
Through the LSS Representative Payee Program, 1,000 people receive help in managing their
finances. Lutheran Social Services is assigned these people by the Social Security Office
because it has determined that they are not capable of making good decisions about how the
money should be spent and do not have another family member who can serve in that role for them.
Those helped are usually young children, very elderly people, mentally ill people or those
suffering from chronic substance abuse, and people who are HIV-positive or living with AIDS.
Nationally, more than six million people who get monthly Social Security or Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) benefits need this kind of help.
Financial associates in the LSS Representative Payee Program work with each person
assigned to them to get to know their needs and to help them use the benefits for
fundamental needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. They ensure monthly payments
of rent and utilities on behalf of the people in the program and guide them in making
regular and appropriate purchases of food, medicine and other necessities.
Financial associates prevent homelessness, increase stability
The three common pathways to homelessness include the loss of housing, diminished family
support, and the misuse of financial resources. Often the result as well as the cause of
poor health, homelessness contributes to illness through the absence of a home base and
supportive network, physical and psychological stress, exposure to the elements, living in
chaotic, unhealthy environments, and social problems associated with poverty and the stigma of
being on the streets.
Particularly for individuals with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders, loss
of housing is the major cause of homelessness, meaning that once they lose their homes
they find it nearly impossible to find housing again. Housing instability leads to disruption
in their treatment, relapse, and poor physical and mental health.
Homelessness Leads to More Serious Problems
About one third of all homeless people have serious and chronic forms of mental illness. Half of them experience hopelessness and despair because of their conditions and one in six attempt suicide.
Ten to 15 percent of homeless males abuse drugs. There is a high occurrence of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, venereal disease, skin ailments, bruises, lacerations, and injuries resulting from violence. Between five and 11 percent of all homeless people are HIV-positive or living with AIDS.
The death rate for homeless people is about four times greater than the rate for the general population and among young homeless men the rate is even higher. On average, homeless adults die 20 years earlier than their non-homeless counterparts.
Program Goal: Meet Basic Living Needs
The LSS Representative Payee Program's goal is to make sure that the people it helps have their basic living needs met so that they can take of themselves and their families. Without LSS, these people will make inappropriate purchases that use up their Social Security benefits and they will find themselves forced to ask other social service agencies for help to get through the month.
Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida •
Jacksonville, FL 32207 •
904.448.5995/fax 904.448.6044
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