§ 10.163 - Use of benefit payments.

To assure that the general welfare of the beneficiary is properly served, benefit payments received by a representative payee shall be used in the following manner, and in the prescribed order:

(a) Current maintenance, including costs incurred in obtaining food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and personal comfort items.

(b) Institutional care, including the customary charges made by the institution, as well as expenditures for those items which will aid in the beneficiary's recovery or release from the institution or expenses for personal needs which will improve the beneficiary's conditions while in the institution.

(c) Support of the beneficiary's legal dependents after current maintenance needs or institutional care of the beneficiary are met; and

(d) Claims of creditors only if the current and reasonably foreseeable needs of the beneficiary are met.