Representing Social Security Claimants

The 2009 Application Period for the Direct Payment Demonstration Project Opens February 2, 2009 and Closes March 16, 2009.    Attorneys and Non-attorney Participants in the Direct Payment Demonstration Project Must Register to Continue to Receive Direct Fee Payment

A claimant may appoint a qualified individual to represent him or her in doing business with Social Security. If the claimant appoints a representative, the representative cannot charge or collect a fee for those services without first getting written approval from the Social Security Administration, even if the claim is denied. To get this approval, the representative must use one of Social Security's fee authorization processes.