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SSA

RIN: 0960-AG56

Publication ID: Fall 2008

Title: Revisions to Rules on Representation of Parties (3396F)
Abstract: We are proposing several revisions to our rules on representation of parties in parts 404, 408, 416, and 422 to reflect changes in representatives' business practices, beneficiaries' use of the Internet, and to become more efficient in processing claims for benefits. These rules propose to: o Recognize entities as representatives; o Mandate the use of Form SSA-1696 to appoint a representative or revoke or withdraw an appointment of a representative; o Mandate the use of Form SSA-1696 to waive a fee or direct payment of the fee; o Define the roles of a principal representative and a professional representative; o Require professional representatives to use our electronic services as they become available; o Authorize principal representatives to sign and file a claim for benefits for a claimant with us; o Require professional representatives to submit certain requests for reconsideration and hearings before an administrative law judge electronically; o Require a representative to keep paper copies of certain documents that we may require; o Add new definitions or revise existing definitions for: "disqualify," "electronic media," "Federal agency," "Federal program," "fee petition," "initial disability claim," "person," "principal representative," "professional representative," and "representative;" o Add new affirmative duties and prohibited actions for representatives; and o Change references in the representative sanctions rules to reflect a recent delegation of authority and a recent agency reorganization.
Agency: Social Security Administration(SSA)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 20 CFR 404.612 20 CFR 404.901 20 CFR 404.903 20 CFR 404.909 20 CFR 404.910 20 CFR 404.933 20 CFR 404.934 20 CFR 404.1700 to 404.1799 20 CFR 408.1101 20 CFR 416.315 20 CFR 416.1401 20 CFR 416.1403 20 CFR 416.1409 20 CFR 416.1410 20 CFR 416.1433 20 CFR 416.1434 20 CFR 416.1500 to 416.1599 20 CFR 422.203 20 CFR 422.515
Legal Authority: 42 USC 405(a) 42 USC 406(a)(1) 42 USC 810(a) 42 USC 902(a)(5) 42 USC 1010 42 USC 1383(d)

Legal Deadline: None

Statement of Need: We are proposing these revisions to reflect changes in representatives' business practices and to improve our efficiency by enhancing use of the Internet.

Summary of the Legal Basis: Section 206 of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA) and section 302 and 4303 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004 (SSPA) Public Law 108-203.

Alternatives: None.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: Negligible.

Risks: None.

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	09/08/2008	73 FR 51963
NPRM Comment Period End	11/07/2008
Final Action	09/00/2009

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Peter Kierpiec Social Insurance Specialist Social Security Administration Office of Income Security Programs, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401 Phone:410 965-5734 Joshua B. Silverman Social Insurance Specialist, Regulations Writer Social Security Administration Office of Regulations, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401 Phone:410 594-2128