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Social Security's Demonstration Project on Direct Payment to Eligible Non-Attorneys

Social Security Announces Criteria and Planning for Non-Attorney Demonstration Project

In its Federal Register notice published January 13, 2005 (70 Fed. Reg. 2447), SSA announced the criteria that non-attorneys who represent claimants under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act must meet to become eligible for direct fee payment under a five-year demonstration project. Section 303 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004 (Public Law No. 108-203) requires SSA to conduct this demonstration project.

  Federal Register/Vol.70, No. 9/Thursday, January 13, 2005/Notices
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Social Security Announces Implementation of Section 303 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004

In its Federal Register notice published March 22, 2005 (70 Fed. Reg. 14490), SSA announced that it has implemented Section 303 of the Social Security Protection Act (SSPA) requires the Commissioner of Social Security to develop and implement a five-year nationwide demonstration project that extends to certain non-attorney representatives of claimants under titles II and XVI of the Act the option to have approved representatives' fees withheld and paid directly from a beneficiary's past-due benefits.

  Federal Register/Vol.70, No. 54/ Tuesday, March 22, 2005/Notices
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Additional Information on Requirements for Participating in the Project

By Federal Register notice published July 18, 2005 (70 Fed. Reg. 41250), SSA provided information about the continuing education requirement that non-attorney representatives must satisfy to participate in the demonstration project.� The notice also announced that we have lowered the liability insurance requirements for participants and determined that applicants will be given an opportunity to correct defects in their applications to participate in the demonstration project, in certain circumstances; to protest a denial of their applications for any reason; and, where warranted, to have their paid application fee refunded or applied to satisfy the fee requirement for a subsequent application.� The notice also clarifies the requirement regarding experience in representing claimants before SSA.

  Federal Register/Vol.70, No. 136/July 18, 2005/Notices
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Application Process

Non-attorney representatives who want to participate in the demonstration project must apply directly with the contractor and submit their application fee and supporting documentation directly to the contractor. SSA field offices and hearing offices will not have copies of the application and will not accept applications. Questions about the demonstration project from members of the public, including non-attorney representatives, should be referred to the contractor. The contractor will answer questions by telephone and provide more detailed information on their Internet web site, http://www.cps.ca.gov/tlc/ssa/about.asp.

 

Fifth Examination for the Direct Payment Demonstration Project held June 2008

The fifth examination was given in June 2008. Please check the CPS website at http://www.cps.ca.gov/tlc/ssa/about.asp for additional information about the application deadline and examination schedule.

 

Contractor's Informational Webpage

CPS Human Resource Services, the contractor who is assisting SSA in administering the non-attorney representative demonstration project, has established a webpage providing general information on project eligibility requirements and deadlines. Here is the link for the Direct Payment Demonstration Project's Informational Webpage.

CPS Human Resources Services, SSA's contractor webpage CPS Human Resources Services, SSA's contractor webpage
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Last reviewed or modified Tuesday Jul 22, 2008
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