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• Ability in ordinary household budgeting, experience in purchasing food, clothing, and household supplies within a restricted income, and knowledge of effective household money management practices. • Willingness to serve as a protective payee without remuneration. • Geographical proximity or means of transportation to the AG to be accessible for frequent consultation on budgeting and other money payment problems. • Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with members of the AG. The protective payee must assume a teaching role to facilitate the acquisition of new money management skills in money mismanagement cases. • Capacity to handle highly confidential AG information.

The protective payee may be: • A relative, friend, or neighbor • A member of the clergy • A member of a church or community service group • A staff member of the Local Office or another social service agency • A home economist with a public or voluntary organization.

The protective payee may not be: • The Director of a Local Office • The caseworker/supervisor determining financial eligibility for the AG. • Special investigative or resource staff • Staff handling fiscal processes related to the AG. • A landlord, grocer, or other vendor of goods or services dealing directly with the AG.

To the extent feasible, the TANF AG is to participate in and consent to the selection of the person designated as the protective payee.

The Local Office should make a potential protective payee aware of his responsibilities by: • Reviewing the responsibilities listed on Form SF 49884/FI0024 Protective Payee for Hoosier Works Card; and • Supplementing the agreement by an oral discussion of said responsibilities, the objectives of protective payments, and the nature and frequency of the reporting expected by the Local Office. 3605.25.20 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROTECTIVE PAYEE (C)

Responsibilities of the protective payee include: • Paying maintenance needs (such as rent, utilities, food, clothing, and so forth) from the cash benefit. • Explaining to the TANF AG how the cash benefit will be spent. • Keeping records of payments received and disbursements made and providing the Local Office with a general report of the disbursements every six months; and • Treating confidentially all personal information concerning the AG.