Number: 111- 32
Date: February 4, 2010

The House Passes H.R. 4532,
Social Security Disability Applicants' Access to Professional Representation Act of 2010

 

On February 4, 2010, the House passed H.R. 4532, the “ Social Security Disability Applicants' Access to Professional Representation Act of 2010, ”by a vote of 412 - 6. (Identical provisions were passed by the House on December 17, 2009, in H.R. 2847, the “Jobs for Main Street Act, 2010” (Legislative Bulletin 111-28).) H.R. 4532 now goes to the Senate and we expect that it will be voted on before the March 1 st expiration of the current-law provisions.

Permanent Extension of Attorney Fee Withholding Procedures to Title XVI

•  Would permanently extend the Title II attorney fee withholding process to Title XVI. The current authority expires March 1, 2010.

•  Would be effective upon enactment.

Permanent Extension of Fee Withholding Procedures to Qualified Non-Attorney Representatives

•  Would permanently extend the fee withholding process to all non-attorney representatives who meet the following prerequisites: hold a bachelor's degree or have equivalent qualifications, pass an examination written and administered by the Commissioner, secure professional liability insurance or the equivalent, undergo a criminal background check, and complete continuing education courses. The current fee withholding demonstration project would expire March 1, 2010. (In effect, the current demonstration project would be made permanent without any changes in the current provisions.)