Dear [claimant's name]:

 

We are writing to tell you that we no longer recognize [sanctioned individual's name and address], as your representative. We have [suspended/disqualified] [sanctioned individual's name] from representing claimants before us. [The suspension starts [effective date], and lasts for [number] years. OR The disqualification starts [effective date].] You did not cause [sanctioned individual's name]'s [suspension/disqualification]. It will not affect how we decide your claim(s) or any other matter that you have before us.

 

What Happens Next

 

[Use this language in cases where more than one representative was appointed on the claim: Your other representative(s), [non-sanctioned representative's name], may continue to assist you with your claim(s). However, your representative must not allow [sanctioned individual's name] to work on any part of your claim. We cannot communicate with [sanctioned individual's name] or accept correspondence from [sanctioned individual's name].]

OR

[Use this language when only the sanctioned individual was appointed, or it is unclear if another representative has been appointed: You may wish to appoint someone else to represent you. Until you decide whether to appoint another representative, we will deal directly with you. We will help you with your claim(s).]

 

[Sanctioned individual's name] may ask us for a fee for the services provided as a representative through [date suspension or disqualification began]. If [sanctioned individual's name] asks for a fee, we will let you review and respond to the request before we decide the fee amount that [sanctioned individual's name] may collect from you.

 

If You Have Questions

 

For general information about Social Security, we invite you to visit our website at www.ssa.gov. For general questions and specific questions about your case, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or call your local Social Security office at [servicing FO phone number]. We can answer most questions over the phone. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY/TDD number 1-800-325-0778. If you do call or visit an office, please have this letter with you. It will help us answer your questions.

 

                                                                                           Social Security Administration

 

cc:

Center for Program Support, Region ##

Office of the General Counsel

 

Dear [claimant's name]:

 

We are writing to tell you that [sanctioned individual's name], who is an assistant to your representative, may no longer work on your claim(s). [Sanctioned individual's name]’s address is [sanctioned individual's address].

We have [suspended/disqualified] [sanctioned individual's name] from representing claimants before us. [The suspension starts [effective date], and lasts for [number] years. OR The disqualification starts [effective date].] You did not cause [sanctioned individual's name]’s [suspension/disqualification]. It will not affect how we decide your claim or any other matter that you have before us.

 

What Happens Next

 

Your representative, [non-sanctioned representative's name], may continue to represent you. However, your representative must not allow [sanctioned individual's name] to work on any part of your claim(s). We cannot communicate with [sanctioned individual's name] or accept correspondence from [sanctioned individual's name].

 

If You Have Questions

 

For general information about Social Security, we invite you to visit our website at www.ssa.gov. For general questions and specific questions about your case, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or call your local Social Security office at [Servicing FO phone number]. We can answer most questions over the phone. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY/TDD number 1-800- 325-0778. If you do call or visit an office, please have this letter with you. It will help us answer your questions.

 

                                                                                       Social Security Administration

 

cc:

Appointed Representative

Center for Program Support, Region ##

Office of the General Counsel

 

 

Dear [claimant's name]:

 

We are writing to tell you that [sanctioned individual's name], the person your representative works for, may no longer work on your claim(s). [Sanctioned individual's name]’s address is [sanctioned individual's address].

We have [suspended/disqualified] [sanctioned individual's name] from representing claimants before us. [The suspension starts [effective date], and lasts for [number] years. OR The disqualification starts [effective date].] You did not cause [sanctioned individual's name]’s [suspension/disqualification]. It will not affect how we decide your claim or any other matter that you have before us.

 

What Happens Next

 

Your representative, [non-sanctioned representative's name], may continue to represent you. However, your representative must not allow [sanctioned individual's name] to work on any part of your claim. [Sanctioned individual's name] cannot help you with or advise you about your claim(s). We cannot communicate with [sanctioned individual's name] or accept correspondence from [sanctioned individual's name].

 

If You Have Questions

 

For general information about Social Security, we invite you to visit our website at www.ssa.gov. For general questions and specific questions about your case, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or call your local Social Security office at [Servicing FO phone number]. We can answer most questions over the phone. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY/TDD number 1-800- 325-0778. If you do call or visit an office, please have this letter with you. It will help us answer your questions.

 

                                                                                              Social Security Administration

 

cc:

Appointed Representative

Center for Program Support, Region ##

Office of the General Counsel

 

 

Dear [claimant's name]:

 

[Use this opening paragraph when a sanctioned individual attempts to accept an appointment: We are writing to tell you we will not process your notice of appointment. We cannot recognize [sanctioned individual's name and address], as your representative. [We have suspended [sanctioned individual's name] from representing claimants before us for [number] years. OR We have disqualified [sanctioned individual's name] from representing claimants before us.] This [suspension/disqualification] will not affect how we decide your claim or any other matter that you have before us.]

 

[Use this opening paragraph instead of the above if representative is unsuitable: We are writing to tell you we will not process your notice of appointment. We cannot recognize [unqualified individual's name and address], as your representative. [Unqualified individual's name] does not qualify to represent claimants before us.]

 

What Happens Next

 

[Use this language in cases where more than one representative was appointed on the claim: Your representative(s), [non-sanctioned or qualified representative's name], may continue to assist you with you claim(s). However, your representative must not allow [sanctioned or unqualified individual's name] to work on any part of your claim(s). We cannot communicate with [sanctioned or unqualified individual's name] or accept correspondence from [sanctioned or unqualified individual's name].]

OR

[Use this language when only the sanctioned individual was appointed, or it is unclear if another representative has been appointed: You may wish to appoint someone else to represent you. Until you decide whether to appoint another representative, we will deal directly with you. We will help you with your claim(s).]

 

[Sanctioned or unqualified individual's name] cannot charge a fee to you or anyone else who receives benefits on your record.

 

If You Have Questions

 

For general information about Social Security, we invite you to visit our website at www.ssa.gov. For general questions and specific questions about your case, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or call your local Social Security office at [Servicing FO phone number]. We can answer most questions over the phone. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY/TDD number 1-800- 325-0778. If you do call or visit an office, please have this letter with you. It will help us answer your questions.

 

                                                                                            Social Security Administration

 

cc:

Center for Program Support, Region ##

Office of the General Counsel

 

To whom it may concern:

 

We are writing to tell you that we have [suspended/disqualified] [sanctioned individual’s name and address], from representing claimants before us and from serving as an entity point of contact (POC). [The suspension starts [effective date], and lasts for [number] years. OR The disqualification starts [effective date].] Our records show that [sanctioned individual’s name] is listed as the POC for [Entity Name].

Because our regulations require that, to be eligible for direct payment of fees, an entity must maintain a POC who is registered as a representative in the manner we prescribe (20 CFR [404.1735 and/or 416.1535]), [Entity Name] is currently ineligible to receive direct payment of authorized fees.  

 

What Happens Next

 

Until [Entity Name] complies with the following instructions to identify a qualified POC, we are unable to honor assignments made to [Entity Name]. We will not process any new assignments from a representative(s) who attempts to assign direct payment of their fee to [Entity Name] while it is ineligible to receive direct payment. If we authorize a fee to any representative who had previously assigned direct payment of their fee to [Entity Name], we will consider such assignments invalid and pay the individual representative(s). If, at the time of payment, the representative(s) is also ineligible for direct payment, any fee we authorize will be a matter between the representative(s) and the claimant.

 

If [Entity Name] wants to become eligible again for direct payment, please submit an updated Form SSA-1694 (Entity Registration and Taxpayer Information) naming a qualified POC for [Entity Name] following the instructions on the form. An electronic copy of the Form SSA-1694 is available for download at https://www.ssa.gov/representation/.

Once [Entity Name] updates its registration to name a qualified POC, and we process that information, we will begin accepting timely new assignments made to [Entity Name]. We will also honor existing assignments made in claims that remain pending and in which a fee has not been paid. Any fees that we authorized and paid directly to an individual representative(s) because of [Entity’s Name]’s ineligibility to receive direct payment are a matter between the representative(s) and [Entity Name]. Any assignments that we were unable to process because of [Entity’s Name]’s ineligibility to receive direct payment must be resubmitted if the representative(s) wants to assign direct payment of their fee to [Entity Name].

 

If You Have Questions

 

For general information about representation, please visit our Representing Claimants website at https://www.ssa.gov/representation/.

If you have questions, please call us at 1-800-772-6270. If you are hearing impaired, you may call the TTY number 1-800-325-0778 between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard time, Monday through Friday. We can answer most of your questions over the phone. When you call, please have this letter with you to help us answer your questions.

 

Social Security Administration

 

cc:

Center for Program Support, Region ##

Office of the General Counsel