"THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT"

My representative and I understand that, for a fee to be payable, the Social Security Administration (SSA) must approve any fee my representative charges or collects from me for services my representative provides in proceedings before SSA in connection with my claim(s) for benefits.
 
We agree that, if SSA favorably decides the claim(s), I will pay my representative a fee equal to the lesser of 25% or $5300.00 

[Attorney note- the fee percentage need not be 25%, it can be less if the parties agree.  25% just happens to be the max fee as percentages go.  My own fee agreements use 25%, up to a maximum fee of $5300.00.   The max fee I charge is the SSA fee cap, which again, at present is $5300.0]

We understand that one or both of us may request review of the fee amount, in writing, within 15 days after SSA has notified us of any amount my representative can charge.

[Attorney note: either party can protest an approved fee. The fee agreement process gives the parties 15 days to file a protest.  While the SSA modify the fee, a better procedure would be to simply contact your attorney first to discuss fee concerns, and see if s/he will voluntarily reduce the fee.  This process will be quicker and may be more amicable as between attorney & client. However, note the SSA 1099’s claimants, and often the 1099’s are inaccurate. I suggest my client’s contact a CPA, and I am happy to certify the fee charged if necessary. Anyway, if you adjust the fee privately with the attorney, then the1099 is probably not going to reflect this adjustment.]

• My representative may ask SSA to increase the fee, and [Insert he or she ] has informed me that [Insert he or she] will do so if [Insert the conditions under which the representative might seek a fee higher than the fee otherwise agreed upon].
  
• I may ask SSA to reduce the fee.
  
• An affected auxiliary Social Security beneficiary, if any, may ask SSA to reduce the fee too.  [Attorney Note- my own fee agreements spell out that the fee can and will extend to auxiliary benefits, subject to the $5300.00 fee cap].  I tell my client’s to let the estranged spouses to know about this from day one so that surprises are limited.
  
• Also, if SSA approved the fee agreement, the person(s) who decided my claim(s) may ask for a reduction of the fee under the agreement if, in his or her opinion, my representative did not represent my interests adequately or the fee is clearly excessive for the services provided.

If someone requests review, SSA generally would send the other(s) a copy and offer an opportunity to comment on the request and provide more information to the person reviewing the request. SSA then would finally decide the amount of the fee and notify us in writing whether the fee increased, decreased, or did not change.

We both have received signed copies of this agreement.

BACK