An SSA employee may not participate personally and substantially in any judicial or other proceeding, application, request for ruling or other determination, contract, claim, controversy, charge, accusation, arrest, or other particular matter in which any of the following persons or organizations has a financial interest:

1. a. 

   The employee;

   NOTE: Effective July 16, 2021, nothing in this section prohibits a regular Federal employee as described in GN 03980.005 from seeking or receiving fees for work the employee completed related to a Social Security Disability claim before that employee began working for SSA. *Always contact the Office of the General Counsel at OGC.Controls@ssa.gov to determine applicability

2. b. 

   The employee’s spouse;

3. c. 

   The employee’s minor child;

4. d. 

   Any organization in which the employee serves as officer, director, trustee, general partner, or employee or;

5. e. 

   Any person or organization with whom the employee is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning prospective employment.

The following are exceptions to general standards described in A. for avoiding conflicting financial interests.

An officer or employee may participate in a matter:

1. a. 

   If the officer or employee’s supervisor makes a written determination that the interest is not so substantial as to be deemed likely to affect the integrity of the employee’s services;

2. b. 

   If the financial interest has been exempted by regulation from the requirements of subsection (a) as being too remote or too inconsequential to affect the employee’s integrity;

3. c. 

   In the case of a special government employee (SGE) (referred to as special federal employee in GN 03980.010), if the official who appointed the SGE certifies in writing that the agency’s need for the SGE’s service outweighs the potential for a conflict of interest; or

4. d. 

   If the financial interest that would be affected by the particular matter involved is that resulting solely from the interest of the officer or employee, or the employee's spouse or minor child, in birthrights:

   1. 1. 

      In an Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians;

   2. 2. 

      In an Indian allotment the title to which is held in trust by the United States or which is inalienable by the allottee without the consent of the United States; or

   3. 3. 

      In an Indian claims fund held in trust or administered by the United States, if the particular matter does not involve the Indian allotment or claims fund or the Indian tribe, band, nation, organized group or community, or Alaska Native village corporation as a specific party or parties.