THE VOICE OF THE TOWNSHIP
WAYNE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE’S OFFICE PAYEE PROGRAM
A role model program for compassionate guidance
A message from the Trustee…
Bringing this Payee Program to the citizens I represent is an exciting event for me. My mission as Trustee is to provide the best possible services to the people who are unable to provide for their basic needs, while protecting taxpayer’s resources. I am very proud to implement this program, as it accomplishes just that.
The Wayne Township Trustee’s Office Payee Program is a free service available to beneficiaries of Social Security that are deemed incapable of managing their monthly benefit by a physician and are in need of this program to assist them with budgeting their monthly income and paying expenses. The program was implemented in the spring of 2001. To date, there have been a total of 132 participants. Out of this number, 83 participants remain active to date. The success and growth of the program has helped transition many local residents from needing assistance from the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office and/or other community partners.
A payee acts on behalf of the beneficiary. A payee is responsible for everything related to benefits that a capable beneficiary would do for himself or herself. Benefits are used for current needs such as food, clothing, shelter, utilities, dental and medical care and personal comfort items, or reasonably foreseeable needs. Participants are included in the planning and budgeting of their monthly benefit.
The program is administered by the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office Accounting Department with William Carr, Deputy Director of Accounting and Financing, serving as the Payee Representative. There is no additional cost to taxpayer’s. The program is funded by the participant’s benefit(s). The department reports: any changes or events which could affect the beneficiary’s eligibility for benefits or payment amount; keeps records of all payments received and how they are spent and/or saved; provides benefit information to social service agencies or medical facilities that serve the beneficiary; help the beneficiary get medical treatment when necessary; complete written reports accounting for the use of funds and return any payments to which the beneficiary is not entitled to SSA.
Participants are assisted with applications for other benefits and services, which they may be eligible for, and with necessary documentation required to maintain them. The department works closely with the Allen County Division of Family and Children Services, Fort Wayne Housing Authority, the Social Security Administration, Community Action of Northeast Indiana (CANI), and the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office Poor Relief Investigators.
Referrals to the program have been received from numerous agencies: Social Security Office, Adult Protective Services, Veteran’s Administration, ARC, Allen County Division of Family & Children, Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, Park Center, family members, and other Representative Payees.
Both myself and William Carr, Deputy Director of Accounting and Finance/Payee Representative, envision the program obtaining a grant which will allow the purchase of an apartment building that would house some of the participants and ensure that their necessities are met, as well as, transportation and recreation thus eliminating the housing difficulties that some experience.
If you or someone you know would like to participant in the Payee Program, or would like more information about it, please contact our office at (260) 449-7000 or visit our website at www.waynetownship.org
The last three years, I have been able to provide to each participant monetary and non-monetary gifts, Christmas dinner, and plenty of holiday décor and cheer by the donations and contributions received. I welcome you to visit our website at www.waynetownship.org (photo album/payee Christmas dinner).
The 4th Annual Wayne Township Trustee’s Office Payee Program Christmas Party will be on Friday, December 16, 2005 at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Many of the payee’s would not have a celebration over the Holiday Season were it not for this heartwarming event. If you are able to contribute to their holiday celebration, please contact William Carr at (260) 449-7000. I assure your donation will be appreciated and exhausted for which it was given. There would be no better way to give a gift that would be appreciated with the love for which it was given.
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