Standards of Conduct

All attorney and non-attorney representatives of claimants who practice before the Social Security Administration (SSA) must comply with the Rules of Conduct and Standards of Responsibility for Representatives (Rules of Conduct) found at 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1740 and 416.1540 . The Rules of Conduct specify both affirmative obligations and prohibited conduct.

If a representative violates the Rules of Conduct, is not qualified to be either an attorney or non-attorney representative under 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1705 and 416.1505, or has been convicted of a violation under section 206 of the Social Security Act, SSA may file charges and initiate proceedings to suspend or disqualify that representative from acting as a representative before SSA.

Any person who believes that an attorney or non-attorney representative has acted in a manner that violates the Rules of Conduct should promptly report that representative to an SSA field or hearing office. Allegations of representational misconduct may also be reported in writing to:

Social Security Administration
Office of the General Counsel
Office of General Law
Suite 1605
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3255