Financial Foundations: Groundwork’s Representative Payee Program Builds Stability

Managing finances can be challenging and often overwhelming for many Vermont Social Security benefits recipients. Tamara Marchel (she/her), Groundwork’s Representative Payee, currently provides critical support to 48 clients, offering them financial management and a pathway to stability and independence.

“We help folks who would otherwise be struggling to make ends meet,” explains Tamara, who brings a rich background in educational psychology and administrative experience to her role. “It’s not just about keeping bills paid on time – we help people learn how to budget and manage what they’ve got month-to-month.”

The impact of the program extends far beyond basic financial management. For some clients, it serves as a stepping stone toward financial independence. For others, it provides crucial lifetime support, protecting from economic exploitation and the complex challenges of managing benefits. “In today’s world, with all different kinds of scams, it can be confusing to know who it’s okay to talk to,” Tamara notes. “We provide security and protection for individuals in vulnerable situations.”

One of the program’s most significant achievements is its role in combating homelessness. By helping clients maintain stable housing and manage their benefits effectively, the Representative Payee Program contributes to community stability. “The fewer people we have without homes, the better it is for the community,” Tamara emphasizes.

Recent successes highlight the program’s effectiveness. In the past year, two clients have graduated to manage their own benefits, with one even securing employment to supplement their benefits. Additionally, two long-term unsheltered individuals recently obtained leases, marking significant steps toward stable housing.

Perhaps most remarkably, every client in the program is now successfully following a budget – including one individual who previously struggled with spending their entire monthly allocation immediately. “They’re not only on a budget now, but they’re also saving,” Tamara shares proudly. “No more running out of money at the end of the month.”

The program continues expanding its reach. Groundworks reopened its representative payee waiting list in July and has been successfully onboarding new clients throughout the fall. However, as one of the few representative payee programs in Vermont, the need for services remains high.

The Social Security Administration sets the monthly fee for representative payee services and fees are paid directly by beneficiaries through a small deduction from their monthly benefits. The flat fee structure helps to ensure equal treatment for all program participants. This does not fully cover the program’s costs and we rely on community support through donations to maintain and expand these essential services that help our valued members of this community achieve financial stability and independence. “I feel like I’m making a difference in their daily lives,” Tamara reflects. “It’s not just a one-time thing – this is a continuing program that creates lasting change.”