2023-16405: Changes to the Administrative Rules for Claimant Representation and Provisions for Direct Payment to Entities

Summary

We propose to revise our regulations to enable us to directly pay entities fees we may authorize to their employees, as required by the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (First Circuit) in Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP v. Collins. To make direct payments, issue the necessary tax documents, and properly administer these rules, we propose to require all entities that want to receive direct payment of assigned fees and all representatives who want to be appointed on a claim, matter, or issue to register with us. We also propose to standardize the registration, appointment, and payment processes. We expect that this proposed rule will help us implement the changes required by the Marasco decision, increase accessibility to our electronic services, reduce delays, and help us prepare for more automation, thereby improving our program efficiencies.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 3 parts of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 20 CFR 404 Federal Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (1950- )
• 20 CFR 416 Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled
• 20 CFR 422 Organization and Procedures