My son just got accepted for SSI benefits and I am his representative payee because he's still a minor. He was diagnosed with ADHD.

I just recently received his first back pay in the amount of 2,200. I also received a letter stating that I can only use that money strictly on my son and it has to deal with his disability. I can't buy food or clothing for him etc because I have his monthly benefits to help me with that.

I'm stuck on what to do with his money because almost everything I think of that would benefit him is being denied. He doesn't need a wheelchair because he can walk, his medications dont need to paid for because I handled all that. Medical bills are paid for. So what am I suppose to do? Can you give me some advise on what I could buy or do with his money.

Can I build him a small room since he doesn't have one? Can I purchase him a bed since he only sleeps on a flat mattress? Things like that?

Hi,

Well, you could certainly use your son's back pay to buy a bed for him. You'd better check with his SSI representative before adding a room to your home, though. It might be okay, but I'm not sure how Social Security would interpret that. Your son's SSI representative may also have some other suggestions for you regarding the proper use of your son's back pay.

Social Security also provides a guide for representative payees that can be located on their website: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10076.pdf.

Best, Jerry