Social Security makes periodic general voluntary releases of materials for which Freedom Of Information Act requests have been made. They have recently released what they describe as "CY 2021 Non-Attys Eligible for Direct Fee Payment (Redacted under b6)."
I don't understand this list. It purports to show 44,134 non-attorney reps eligible for direct payment of fees. That can't possibly be right, can it? The list contains at least 40 times more names than what I would have expected.
The email addresses often contain lawfirm names, so I suspect the list contains both non-attys and attys. I suppose it's possible that a firm would have a non-atty rep on staff to deal with SSDI/SSI, but seems odd. The only non-atty reps I've met have been either solo or nurses/PAs who are assisting their patients (usually waiving fees as well, sortof just acting as a guide but want to participate so they register with SSA).
ReplyDeleteAttorneys and non-attorneys are listed together.
ReplyDeleteMy computer is leery of the source of this list, who published it?
ReplyDeleteWhat 2:09 said. I thought the same thing initially but the spreadsheet is labeled "CY2021 Attys Non-Attys Eligible for Direct Fee Payment"
ReplyDeleteIt's attorneys and non-attorneys because I'm an attorney and I'm on the list.
ReplyDeleteIt includes attorneys an non attorneys and a quick look at my area indicated quite a number of individuals who I know are retired or not handling Social Security cases.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is a list of pretty much anyone who ever handled a Social Security case and submitted a 1699.
It definitely contains attorneys because I am one and I am on it. I think it might only be people who filed 1696s for OHO cases since I don't see some SOAR folks on it who I'd expect to see. The redaction is also interesting--looks like attorneys who don't charge fees have more redaction of their addresses and phone numbers than those who do, while nonattorneys at legal services have less redaction?
ReplyDeleteWell, I am an attorney and my name is on the list. So you're correct - the list is not accurate.
ReplyDelete