Representing Social Security Claimants

Information About Representation

Overview of Representatives' Fees

Fee Petitions

Fee Agreements

Model Fee Agreement

Fees For Representation in Proceedings Before A Court

Representative Conduct

Federal Regulations on Representation

SSA's Demonstration Project for Direct Payment to Eligible Non-Attorneys

Registration Requirements for Representatives to Receive Direct Payment of Approved Fees and Forms 1099-MISC

News Update

SSA announces increased specified maximum dollar limit under the fee agreement process.

The 2009 Application Period for the Direct Payment Demonstration Project Opens February 2, 2009 and Closes March 16, 2009.

There is a one-year delay in releasing to representatives Form 1099-MISC which reports fees paid by SSA. We plan to issue Forms 1099-MISC in 2010 to report fees paid during 2009.

A claimant may appoint a qualified individual to represent him or her in doing business with Social Security. The appointment must be in writing and must be filed with SSA. 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.

Overview of attorney fee processes