Core Practices regarding Payee Services
Lighthouse Associates is committed to the following Core Practices regarding Representative Payee Services:
Our operations are conducted in a prudent manner and our services are tailored to meet each individual client’s needs. We treat our clients with the respect and dignity they deserve. Budgets are set up so that bills received can be paid on a timely basis. We have found that most clients have trouble making their funds last throughout the month. Therefore, we encourage the idea of them receiving personal needs / grocery payments on a weekly basis (weekly allowance). Clients are also encouraged to allow us to set aside funds each month so they have extra spending for special occasions such as birthdays and holidays.
Core Practice 1: Balanced Self-Determination:
1.) Lighthouse Associates will communicate directly with each ward, in a manner appropriate to the ward’s level of understanding, to provide information about financial issues affecting the ward and to incorporate the ward’s values and preferences in decision-making.
2.) Lighthouse Associates will allow each ward to exercise self-determination and self-reliance whenever possible, within the limits of the ward’s abilities and insight.
3.) Lighthouse Associates will maintain open lines of communication with service providers, family members, and other collaterals to the extent that such communication benefits the ward in the event that a ward lacks capacity to communicate this information on his or her own as long as we have a signed release providing us with the authorization to do so.
Core Practice 2: Vigilant and Regular Contact
1.) Lighthouse Associates will maintain adequate communication and triaging systems to ensure that concerns articulated by clients, service providers, and family members are addressed appropriately and promptly.
Core Practice 3: Transparency
1.) Lighthouse Associates will diligently maintain financial records for each ward and shall make these records available to the client or to any interested person upon request of the client at any time to ensure accountability.
2.) Lighthouse Associates will provide clear and accurate reports to the Social Security Administration as required.
Core Practice 4: Effective Resource Management:
1.) Lighthouse Associates will make proactive efforts to remain knowledgeable of applicable local and community resources and will direct wards to access programs and services to their benefit.
2.) Lighthouse Associates will take care to conserve the resources of each ward.