There are three major Social Security matters pending action by Congress.
The current federal fiscal year ends on September 30, 2009. The Labor-HHS Appropriations bill that will fund Social Security's administrative operations has been passed by the House of Representatives and has been reported out of committee in the Senate. It now goes to the Senate floor and then to a conference committee to work out differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Will it be passed before the end of this fiscal year? We'll see. If not, Congress will surely pass a continuing funding resolution that will keep Social Security going at the rate of the preceding fiscal year, but continuing funding resolutions make planning tough.
Withholding of fees for certain non-attorney representatives of Social Security claimants sunsets in February 2010 unless this is extended by Congress. I do not want to alarm anyone but there is no visible sign of movement on this.
Withholding of fees for representing claimants for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) also ends in February 2010 unless this is extended by Congress. Again, I do not want to alarm anyone but there is no visible sign of movement on this.
The current federal fiscal year ends on September 30, 2009. The Labor-HHS Appropriations bill that will fund Social Security's administrative operations has been passed by the House of Representatives and has been reported out of committee in the Senate. It now goes to the Senate floor and then to a conference committee to work out differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Will it be passed before the end of this fiscal year? We'll see. If not, Congress will surely pass a continuing funding resolution that will keep Social Security going at the rate of the preceding fiscal year, but continuing funding resolutions make planning tough.
Withholding of fees for certain non-attorney representatives of Social Security claimants sunsets in February 2010 unless this is extended by Congress. I do not want to alarm anyone but there is no visible sign of movement on this.
Withholding of fees for representing claimants for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) also ends in February 2010 unless this is extended by Congress. Again, I do not want to alarm anyone but there is no visible sign of movement on this.
No visible sign of movement? Nosscr and Nadr are for it and even the ALJs have had positive feedback. What is the downside other than backlash from attorneys and again, those in the know appear to support it. We are talking about 500 - 1000 non-atty reps that undergo a rather strenuous test and must submit to an in-depth background check and provide annual continuing education.
ReplyDeleteNo visible sign of movement does not justify alarm for anybody. I would like to hear more about the down side here as there does not appear to be one.
NON ATTY REP
Dear Mr./Ms. Non Attorney Rep:
ReplyDeleteDo you NOT understand the English language conveying that these provisions will end (sunset) in February 2010? The down side for you is that, if movement is not made on this, your fees will no longer be withheld on any case and SSI claimant fees will no longer be withheld for either Attorneys or Non-Attorney Reps.
Golly, you said that you passed a test of some kind?