The individual assigned responsibility for processing fees (e.g., reconsideration
reviewer, senior claims processing specialist or claims technical examiner (CTE))
in the processing center (PC):
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•
resolves or instructs others (e.g., the benefit authorizer (BA), benefit technical
examiner (BTE), claims authorizer (CA), or CTE about issues related to title II benefit
withholding, fee petitions, and direct payment to representatives from title II past-due
benefits;
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•
evaluates the fee petition and authorizes a reasonable fee for representation in cases
decided below the hearing level (including title XVI only); and
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•
notifies the field office (FO) when he or she authorizes a fee in a title XVI claim
or concurrent title II and title XVI claims, and when he or she makes direct fee payment
in concurrent title II and title XVI claims.