Exercises guardianship on behalf of the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) to protect the well-being, rights, and welfare of people who are determined by the court to be in need of supervision, protection, or assistance, and lack the active assistance of a family member or private guardian. The program also provides Representative Payee Services to persons receiving and managing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), whether they are under public guardianship, or as an effective alternative to guardianship. Representative Payee Services will arrange for public benefit checks (usually Social Security or SSI) to be sent to a public agency, nonprofit organization, bank, relative or other individual who has been appointed under federal law to act as a surrogate for recipients in situations where they have a cognitive impairment and are unable to manage their own funds. Note: There is no public guardianship in Vermont for individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 with mental disabilities other than a developmental disability. Petitions are available on the Vermont Judiciary website, or by telephone through the appropriate State's Attorney or Probate Court.