The AARP Money Management program offers daily money management services to help low-income older or disabled persons with budgeting, paying routine bills and tracking financial matters.  AARP Money Management volunteers may serve as Representative Payees or as Bill Payers.  They manage only an individual’s government benefit check (e.g., Social Security or SSI).

Money Management volunteers must complete an application, attend an orientation and training session, provide personal references and agree to a limited criminal history check.

Representative Payees serve people with limited incomes who have been designated as incapable of handling their own finances by the federal agency administering the benefit.  Representative Payees:

• Maintain control over all benefit funds
• Sign all checks
• Spend the funds to meet the current needs of the client

Bill Payers serve clients who are still in charge of their financial affairs, but need help organizing their bills and checkbooks.  Bill Payers:

• Help clients manage monthly income and expenditures
• Write checks for the client to sign
• Assist the client with paperwork related to bill paying

Important Notes for Volunteers

Money Management volunteers may remain anonymous if they choose.

The Money Management Coordinator is the intermediary between the volunteer and the client.  The Coordinator works to resolve concerns and is available to discuss issues important to the Money Management volunteer and to the client.