Direct Fee Payment for Title 2 Claimant Representation: What You Need to Know

As a claimant under the Social Security Administration (SSA), it's essential to understand your rights and eligibility for direct fee payment. This means that attorneys and non-attorneys can receive payment directly from the SSA for their representation in Title 2 claims.

1. Attorneys eligible for direct fee payment must meet specific requirements, including being licensed to practice law in the state where they are working and having a minimum of 5 years of experience in handling claims
2. In contrast, non-attorneys, such as claimants or attorneys not authorized to represent clients on a fee-shifting basis, cannot receive direct fee payment for their representation in Title 2 claims.

The SSA provides guidance on who is eligible for direct fee payment through the Proactive Disclosure for the 2017 and later OPA (Overpayment, Abuse, and Prevention) notices

Key Takeaways

• Attorneys eligible for direct fee payment must meet specific requirements.
• Non-attorneys cannot receive direct fee payment for their representation in Title 2 claims.
• The SSA provides guidance on who is eligible for direct fee payment through the Proactive Disclosure document.

https://www.ssa.gov/foia/resources/proactivedisclosure/2018/FY%202017%20Attorneys%20and%20Non-Attorneys%20Eligible%20for%20Direct%20Fee%20Payment%20for%20Title%202%20Claimant%20Representation.pdf