Representative Payee

The Representative Payee Program was founded in 1996. At the time, it only served people with developmental disabilities. In 2003, the program began branching out to the mental health community. In 2004, the program was taken over by The Enrichment Center. At that time, 42 Forsyth County residents were served. As of December 2011, the program served 300 residents in 12 NC counties.

The Enrichment Center Representative Payee program serves recipients of social security benefits who have been diagnosed with a mental illness, substance abuse, alcohol abuse or developmental disability. If Social Security deems a person unable to manage their finances, they insist on the person having a “payee” or they will not pay them their benefits. Currently, we serve as payee for approximately 300 individuals, paying their rent, utilities and any other bills they may have, while working with each to establish a meaningful budget; sending each person a weekly check for personal use. We assist clients with food stamp applications, Medicaid renewals, finding appropriate housing, when needed, and other paperwork that may be needed.