When SSA makes direct fee payment, SSA is required to charge an assessment, also called
a “user fee” or “service charge,” to an attorney or non-attorney representative who
receives their fee via direct payment from SSA. The Social Security Protection Act
of 2004 provided for:
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•
capping the assessment at a flat-rate dollar amount or at 6.3 percent of the fee payment,
whichever is lower; and
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•
adjusting the flat-rate cap based on annual cost-of-living adjustments rounded down
to the next lower $1.
NOTE: Refer to GN 03920.019 for the current assessment fees and to GN 03920.017D for direct payment calculations.
For information on processing the assessment in title II cases and for guidance in
calculating an assessment in special situations, such as when there is more than one
representative, see GN 03930.066.