The Social Security Administration ("SSA") recently adopted final rules revising the Rules of Conduct and Standards of Responsibility for Appointed Representatives for representation of claimants in Social Security Disability Insurance ("SSDI") and Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") claims. The SSA announced the rule revisions are to update and clarify procedures for bringing charges against a representative for violating the rules and standards and that they are necessary to better protect the integrity of the administrative process.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) - SSA Adopts New Rules on Representative Conduct
Changes to Rules of Conduct for Reps of Social Security Disability and SSI Claimants
Social Security Disability and SSI claimants are usually represented by Appointed Representative. The Social Security Administration recently issued final regulations revising the Rules of Conduct and Standards of Responsibility for Representatives that become effective on January 23, 2012. See 76 Fed. Reg. 80241 (Dec. 23, 2011) http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-23/pdf/2011-32923.pdf. The final rules revise the "prohibited actions" in the Rules of Conduct, 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1740(c) and 416.940(c), to include the following:
