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Albert Epps has been a client of NeighborWorks network member Origin SC since 1998. He was one of the first 200 clients to participate in its Representative Payee Program that offers financial management assistance to individuals whose physical or mental illness restricts their ability to manage their own money.
"Coming to Origin is one of the best moves I ever made because I now can actually do the things I want to do with my money, and I can always get advice to help keep me going in the right direction," said Epps.
Epps became involved with the Representative Payee Program after it was recommended by a counselor at a focus group. He told the counselor about the strain in his relationship with his stepfather, who was helping him manage his finances at the time. Epps has had a good rapport with each of his counselors, and he can name all 10 he has had while in the program. From them, he has since learned the importance of living within his means—and for the past 18 years, Epps has been able to live independently in his own apartment.
"Most of the time I do a very good job of living within my budget, and it feels good to have guidance from my payee when I want to make a big financial decision," says Epps.
The program's primary objective is to ensure that at-risk, low-income individuals like Epps continue to receive their monthly benefits and use them wisely to pay for shelter, food and clothing. With their necessities paid, clients live as independently and as comfortably as possible within their limited incomes.
"I'm really glad to be a part of Origin SC because they have my best interests at heart," says Epps. He also believes that working with his counselors helps him better access other services. "Agencies like Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare listen to people like Origin SC, which means I don't have to do very much talking to them myself. Origin has a way with those agencies that makes it a lot easier for them to cut out the middle man and get to the meat of the matter."
Origin SC, formally Family Service Inc., empowers individuals to achieve financial and housing stability through advocacy, counseling and education. In 2014, it assisted more than 8,500 individuals.
"Coming to Origin is one of the best moves I ever made because I now can actually do the things I want to do with my money, and I can always get advice to help keep me going in the right direction," said Epps.
Epps became involved with the Representative Payee Program after it was recommended by a counselor at a focus group. He told the counselor about the strain in his relationship with his stepfather, who was helping him manage his finances at the time. Epps has had a good rapport with each of his counselors, and he can name all 10 he has had while in the program. From them, he has since learned the importance of living within his means—and for the past 18 years, Epps has been able to live independently in his own apartment.
"Most of the time I do a very good job of living within my budget, and it feels good to have guidance from my payee when I want to make a big financial decision," says Epps.
The program's primary objective is to ensure that at-risk, low-income individuals like Epps continue to receive their monthly benefits and use them wisely to pay for shelter, food and clothing. With their necessities paid, clients live as independently and as comfortably as possible within their limited incomes.
"I'm really glad to be a part of Origin SC because they have my best interests at heart," says Epps. He also believes that working with his counselors helps him better access other services. "Agencies like Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare listen to people like Origin SC, which means I don't have to do very much talking to them myself. Origin has a way with those agencies that makes it a lot easier for them to cut out the middle man and get to the meat of the matter."
Origin SC, formally Family Service Inc., empowers individuals to achieve financial and housing stability through advocacy, counseling and education. In 2014, it assisted more than 8,500 individuals.
