I-1-1-60.Reinstatement of a Representative After Suspension or Disqualification

A. Period of Suspension Expired

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will automatically allow an individual to serve again as a representative in matters before the Commissioner after the expiration of any period of suspension.

B. Individual Disqualified or Period of Suspension Not Expired

After more than one year has elapsed from the date SSA imposed a period of suspension or a disqualification, an individual may seek reinstatement by submitting a written request for reinstatement, with any evidence the individual wants to have considered, to the Executive Director of the Office of Appellate Operations. The individual should send the request to:

Social Security Administration
Office of Appellate Operations
Attn: Office of the Executive Director, Representative Sanctions Staff
6401 Security Blvd
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401

The Appeals Council (AC) must notify the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) of the request and give OGC 30 days to provide a written report commenting on the request for reinstatement. The AC will use the following address when notifying OGC:

Social Security Administration
Office of the General Counsel
Attn: Representative Conduct
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235

When a response is received, the AC will send a copy of the OGC report to the suspended or disqualified individual and provide the individual 30 days from the date of the AC letter to submit written comments.

In making a decision, the AC must consider the following:

• The AC will not grant the request for reinstatement unless it is reasonably satisfied that the individual will in the future act according to the provisions in the Social Security Act and in our rules and regulations.

• To satisfy the burden of persuasion, the suspended or disqualified individual must clearly show that the conditions or circumstances that gave rise to the charges no longer exist and are not likely to recur.

In addition to the two preceding criteria, the following may apply to AC review of a reinstatement request:

• If the individual was disqualified because the individual was disbarred or suspended from a court or bar, the individual must show that the individual has been admitted (or readmitted) to and is in good standing with the court, bar, Federal program or agency, or other governmental or professional licensing authority from which the individual had been disbarred, suspended, or removed from practice.

• If the individual was disqualified because the individual was disqualified from participating in or appearing before a Federal program or Federal agency, the individual must show that the individual is now qualified to participate in or appear before that Federal program or Federal agency.

• If the individual was disqualified as a result of collecting or receiving and retaining an unauthorized representational fee, the individual must demonstrate that full restitution has been made.

The AC will notify the individual and OGC in writing of its decision on the request for reinstatement.

If the AC does not grant the request for reinstatement, it may not consider another request before the end of three years from the date of the notice of the previous denial.