SSA To Keep Attorney Fee Database And Issue 1099s

The Social Security Administration has announced that it is establishing a database of attorneys and what it is now calling "EDPNA", Eligible Direct Pay Non-Attorney, to keep records of fees paid by Social Security for representing claimants. Attorneys and "EDPNA" will have to submit their Social Security Numbers or Employer Identification Numbers (EIN) to get paid. SSA will start issuing 1099s to attorneys and "EDPNA." The notice also suggests that this database would allow SSA to collect debts owed the federal government by seizing fees. It is unclear when this will begin or how attorneys and "EDPNA" would sign up. Probably, attorneys and "EDPNA" will have to submit some form for each case giving their SSN or EIN.