TN 6 (09-97)

With one exception, the order of preference in selecting payees also applies to potential representative payees in the Philippines. In the Philippines, the wife or mother usually assumes responsibility for major decisions and handles the financial resources of all members of the family. Because of this, a child beneficiary's mother will be preferred to the father as payee. An explanation should be included in the file if the father, rather than mother, is selected as payee.

Although illiteracy of a prospective payee will not in and of itself be the cause for not selecting an otherwise qualified individual as representative payee, an equally qualified literate individual would be preferred. An individual's receipt of assistance from a public or private agency or his low level of income will also not be a cause for disqualification. However, these factors will be considered in the light of the total situation and may affect the disposition of accrued benefits where a selected representative payee has not had experience in handling substantial funds.

Unless the recommended representative payee is the spouse who is living with the beneficiary or is the natural or adoptive parent living with the child beneficiary, the file must contain a recommendation by the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Manila, Philippines as to the suitability of the applicant to serve as representative payee. Where a child beneficiary's parent or an incapacitated adult beneficiary's spouse is living and is not selected as payee, the report or claims file must show clearly why the parent or spouse is not being recommended.