Eligibility: The client’s primary source of income must be a Federal government check such as Social Security or Veteran’s benefits. In addition, the client must be a:

• resident of Tarrant County; 
• age 18 or older; 
• capable of managing all non-financial personal and health care decisions; and 
• willing to agree to having GSI become payee.

Service Description: A GSI staff member visits clients in their own homes and explains the program. If a client agrees to have GSI manage his or her government check, the case manager will review the client’s expenses, income, and daily needs to develop a budget. GSI is responsible for completing the Payee application and obtaining medical evidence that a Payee is needed.

Once GSI receives the letter naming the agency as Payee, a bank account is set up in the client’s name and staff arrange for direct deposit. The mailing address for all bills and creditor correspondence is changed to the GSI address. The case manager contacts debt collectors and either arranges a payment plan or informs the creditor that there is no money to pay the debt. Agency staff pays current bills to ensure the client has food, clothing, and adequate shelter.

Working within the budget, money is delivered to the client in the form of a monthly or weekly allowance that the client can use for food, clothing or discretionary spending. Additionally, we attempt to save some money for emergencies.

Accountability: The process of receiving income and paying bills is divided between various staff members and volunteers to ensure that there are checks and balances for all transactions. A volunteer who is not involved in receiving or paying the bills reconciles the bank statements and ensures that all checks are for legitimate client expenses. In addition, the program is monitored by the Social Security Administration and case managers submit required reports to Payee sources.