When the reviewer has affirmed the disapproval of the fee agreement, the representative must seek approval under the fee petition process to charge and collect a fee. If the representative is a non-attorney, no postreview action is necessary.

If the representative is an attorney, thePC, for cases decided:

• •

  below the hearing level, follows GN 03930.045C.1., diarying the case for 60 days;

• •

  at or above the hearing level, follows GN 03930.045C.2., diarying the case for 150 days.

When the reviewer reversed the initial determination and has approved the fee agreement, the BA:

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  Follows GN 03940.001E. to calculate the fee amount; and provides notice of the amount of the fee under the approved agreement, if not resolved already, the past-due benefits amount, and the right to request administrative review of the amount of the fee within 15 days of receiving this notice.

• •

  In a concurrent titles II and XVI case, he/she sends the servicing FO a copy of the claimant's notice showing the past-due benefits and fee amounts.

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  Recodes the Attorney Fee Data Line.

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  Diaries the case for 30 days for possible direct payment as GN 03940.025B.2. describes, if the representative is an attorney.

When the reviewer reversed the previous determination, and has approved the fee agreement and authorized the fee amount, the PC:

• •

  In a concurrent titles II and XVI case, sends the servicing FO a copy of the claimant's notice on administrative review which shows the past-due benefits and fee amounts.

• •

  Recodes the Attorney Fee Data Line.

• •

  Diaries the case for 30 days for referral to a BA for possible direct payment as GN 03940.025B.2. describes, if the representative is an attorney.

The reviewer sends the completed form SSA-1560-U4 or equivalent material to the individual in the PC delegated the authority to approve the representative's fee under the fee petition process (see GN 03930.001 ff).

In addition to the necessary PC action shown in c. or d. below, the PC reviewer:

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  annotates an Optional Form 41 (Routing and Transmittal Slip) or similar transmittal: “Fee Agreement Disapproved on Review - Title XVI CR to follow GN 03960.065.2.b.”; and

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  sends it to the servicing FO with a copy of the claimant's notice.

EXCEPTION: Information in the claim(s) file shows the claimant has paid the amount of the fee authorized under the agreement. In such a situation, the PC reviewerdoes not need to complete the Optional Form 41, but should send the servicing FO a copy of the claimant's notice on administrative review.

When the representative is a non-attorney, the PC recodes the Attorney Fee Data Line.

When the representative is an attorney, the PC recodes the Attorney Fee Data Line and for cases decided:

• •

  below the hearing level, follows GN 03930.045C.1., diarying the case for 60 days;

• •

  at or above the hearing level, follows GN 03930.045C.2., diarying the case for 150 days.

When the representative is a non-attorney, no postreview action is necessary.

When the representative is an attorney, the BA follows

GN 03940.025B.2. and:

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  certifies direct payment of the fee to the attorney from past-due benefits withheld;

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  releases any excess to the claimant; and

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  when there are one or more auxiliary beneficiaries, follows GN 03940.035.

NOTE: SSA immediately releases the remaining withheld past-due benefits to the claimant and affected auxiliary beneficiary(ies) after certifying direct payment of the fee to the attorney unless SSA must continue to withhold such benefits for additional fees awarded by the Federal court under §206(b) of the Act.