The County Assistance Office (CAO) will use protective payments in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cases when the caretaker fails to comply with support requirements or when a third party has been appointed as a representative payee for a Social Security Administration (SSA) benefit.
A protective payment is a cash assistance payment made on behalf of a recipient to a responsible adult who is identified as the protective payee. They are not a legally appointed guardian or trustee.
When the situation requires a Court-appointed guardian, a natural guardian, a trustee or a representative of a mentally-incapable applicant, the individual representing the applicant should be referred to the SSA for the appointment of a representative payee.
Updated July 30, 2024, replacing October 12, 2018