how to become a group supervisory attorney with ssa

by Samson Mosciski 8 min read

How do I become a Social Security disability attorney?

Social Security is home to the country’s largest administrative law system. The Office of the General Counsel and the Office of Hearings Operations are the two components of Social Security staffed primarily by attorneys and legal support professionals. Additionally, our Office of Human Resources also hires qualified attorneys to work in ...

How do I become a Social Security Representative?

On March 8, we released a new service to allow representatives to initiate an SSA-1696 notice of appointment online where they and their claimants can complete, sign and submit the form electronically with no personal contact. This is a two-step process the …

Can a non attorney represent you in form ssa-1696?

Form SSA-1696 | Claimant’s Appointment of a Representative. If you have a case before us and need assistance, you can appoint a representative to help you. Your representative can be an attorney or a non-attorney, but must be qualified and comply with our published rules of conduct. Your representative may seek a fee, but many representatives do not charge a fee unless they …

How do I appoint a representative for Social Security disability?

The Social Security Disability Applicants' Access to Professional Representation Act of 2010, Public Law No. 111-142 permanently extends fee withholding to all eligible non-attorney representatives. Section 206 (e) of the Social Security Act (Act) Social Security Act §206 [42 U.S.C.406] (e) sets forth prerequisites that non-attorney ...

How do I become an authorized representative for Social Security?

Contact your local hearing office and request an invitation to enroll. Receive in the mail an invitation notice and a specially marked Form SSA-1699, Registration for Appointed Representative Services and Direct Payment. Complete and sign the SSA-1699, then fax it to 1-877-268-3827 for processing.

What is an SSA-1696?

Form SSA-1696 | Claimant's Appointment of a Representative If you have a case before us and need assistance, you can appoint a representative to help you. Your representative can be an attorney or a non-attorney, but must be qualified and comply with our published rules of conduct.

What does SSA Commissioner do?

The Office of the Commissioner (OC) is directly responsible for all programs administered by SSA; for State-administered programs directed by SSA; and for certain functions with respect to the black lung benefits program. It provides executive leadership to SSA.

Does SSA recognize power of attorney?

No. The Social Security Administration does not recognize power of attorney as conferring authority to manage another person's benefits. Nor is it sufficient to have your name on your mother's bank account or be her authorized representative.

What is a SSA 561 form?

If you applied for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits and were denied for medical reasons, you may request an appeal online. Appeal Medical Decision. If you do not wish to appeal a medical decision online, you can use the Form SSA-561, Request for Reconsideration.

What is a SSA 521?

Dear Seeking: Social Security's Form SSA-521, Request for Withdrawal of Application, is used when someone has applied for Social Security benefits and later decides they do not want to collect their benefits after all.Nov 27, 2019

Who appoints Social Security administrator?

the President[42 U.S.C. 902] (a)(1) There shall be in the Administration a Commissioner of Social Security (in this title referred to as the “Commissioner”) who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Who has authority over the SSA?

(Since 1939, SSA has operated under the direction of a “parent” agency.) A single administrator will lead the agency with a seven-member bipartisan advisory board.

Who is the head of the Social Security Administration 2021?

Dr. Kilolo KijakaziDr. Kilolo Kijakazi is the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA). Prior to her appointment as Acting Commissioner under the Social Security Act, Dr. Kijakazi served as the Deputy Commissioner for Retirement and Disability Policy at SSA from January 2021- July 2021.

Who Cannot be a representative payee?

A representative payee applicant may not serve if he/she: (a) Has been convicted of a violation under section 208, 811 or 1632 of the Social Security Act. (b) Has been convicted of an offense resulting in imprisonment for more than 1 year.

What is the difference between a power of attorney and a payee?

An agent under power of attorney still needs to act in the best interest of the person who gave it to her and spend the funds for that person's benefit but a representative payee is something more.Mar 13, 2018

What is a SSA 11 form?

The SSA-11-BK is the paper form a potential payee completes to apply to be payee. Use the paper form only, when it is not possible to use eRPS. For example, we must take paper applications for applicants who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN).Apr 15, 2016

What is a benefit authorizer?

Benefit Authorizers are responsible for updating beneficiary records, making sure that payment is made to the beneficiary and preparing correspondence to beneficiaries regarding their benefits. These positions may require contact with the public by telephone. Entry into these positions is at GS-5 or GS-7.

What is the purpose of OHO?

The Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) shares the same mission as the rest of the Social Security Administration (SSA): "To promote the economic security of the nation's people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America's Social Security programs. ".

Requirements for Direct Payment to Non-Attorney Representatives

The Social Security Disability Applicants' Access to Professional Representation Act of 2010, Public Law No. 111-142 permanently extends fee withholding to all eligible non-attorney representatives.

Current Status

We selected CPS HR Consulting as the contractor to administer the examination and to ensure non-attorney representatives meet and maintain the requirements for direct fee payment.

EDPNA Examination

The annual application period is February 1 to February 28. These dates may change subject to location and resource availability, so be sure to check for updates. The application form is available on the CPS HR Consulting's Website during the application period only.

Requirements for Current EDPNAs

For detailed information about ongoing requirements for current EDPNAs (i.e., Continuing Education courses), please go to CPS HR Consulting’s Website.

How do I update my personal information?

You must update your name change, address, phone number or payment information through the SSA-1699 process by submitting a completed Form SSA-1699. You should continue to notify your local field office of any phone or address changes, so we can update your information in our systems.

A. Introduction to the individual registration for appointed representative services and direct payment of fees

We require individuals who serve as appointed representatives to complete a registration process with us to:

B. Background on registration of appointed representatives

Registration of appointed representatives began in 2007 and, since then, we have revised the process several times:

C. Definitions of representative, representative ID, user ID

Representative—An attorney or an individual other than an attorney who meets all of our requirements (see GN 03910.020B) and is appointed to represent claimants in dealings with us.

D. Registration for representative services and direct payment

The Internal Revenue Service requires us to issue a Form 1099-MISC to appointed representatives when we directly pay fees to them of $600 or more in a calendar year. Data collected from the following forms allow us to pay representatives’ fees directly and report the fees to IRS:

How to become an administrative judge?

To become an Administrative Law Judge: 1 You must be licensed and authorized to practice law; 2 You must have seven years of experience in litigation or administrative law as a licensed attorney; and 3 You must apply directly to a posting on the Office of Personnel Management’s USAJOBS website once available.

What is an ALJ?

An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) serves as an impartial judge at regulatory and benefits-granting agencies.

SSA Basic Requirements

The SSA sets a few broad requirements for representing a claimant. If you have the ability to give valuable help to a claimant and have a good character and reputation, you can act as a Social Security representative. The claimant must appoint you as representative in writing, using the SSA's Form 1696, which you must also sign.

Education and Skills

Although the SSA sets no specific educational requirements, a qualified representative is likely to have a bachelor's degree. A qualified representative's work history and training should include acquiring familiarity with medical records and legal regulations.

Getting Started

Before representing a claimant, you must become familiar with the Social Security program rules for applying, pursuing and, if necessary, appealing a claim for benefits. Program rules come from several sources: federal law and regulations, rulings by the SSA commissioner and the SSA's employee operating manual.

Payment Issues

Understanding the SSA's payment rules for claimant representatives is important to the success of your business. Generally, you can't collect any payment for your services from the claimant without the SSA's approval.

Function

  • You can occupy one of a number of positions in which you will conduct investigations and make decisions regarding the approval or denial of claims for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. Many involve direct contact with the public, others require contact primarily by telephone. Your will receive training in Social Security and State l...
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Benefits

  • Employees in these positions assist individuals in establishing entitlement to benefits under Social Security programs. You will have contact with the public either by face-to-face interviews or by telephone. These contacts will allow you to obtain, clarify, and verify information which will be used to analyze claims and make decisions regarding entitlement to benefits. Depending upon y…
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Services

  • These positions involve providing assistance to the public similar to the claims specialist position. Employees answer a wide variety of questions from the public by interviewing the individual, investigating the situation and resolving the problem. Service representatives are located in the Social Security field offices and have direct contact with the public. Customer Service Represent…
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Future

  • Benefit Authorizers can advance to the GS-9 level. Further career development is to technical assistant or specialist positions or the claims specialist position.
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Mission

  • The Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) shares the same mission as the rest of the Social Security Administration (SSA): \"To promote the economic security of the nation's people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America's Social Security programs.\"
See more on ssa.gov

Activities

  • OHO holds hearings and renders decisions on claims denied at the initial level. Most of the work involves disability issues.
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Locations

  • OHO in the Kansas City Region consists of a Regional Office, located in Kansas City, MO, and 9 Hearings Offices located in Creve Coeur, MO, Kansas City, MO, Omaha, NE, St. Louis, MO, Springfield, MO, West Des Moines, IA, Wichita, KS, Topeka, KS, and Columbia, MO
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Staff

  • The Hearing Office staff is comprised of clerical, technical, and professional positions. The grades of the positions range from GS-4 Case Technician (OA) to GS-14 Hearing Office Director, and SES (Senior Executive Service) level for the Administrative Law Judges (ALJ's).
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Scope

  • The nature of the work is front-line service to Social Security claimants, technical casework, and administrative functions. Staff perform work in both individual and group environments.
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