SSA generally assumes that an appointed representative will charge a fee for services
provided unless the appointed representative waives the fee (e.g., when completing
the SSA-1696-U4 Appointment of Representative). If an appointed representative works
with a legal services organization known to provide legal services free of charge,
the FO or Processing Center may contact the representative to determine whether the
appointed representative wishes to waive the fee.
The DHU does not have the authority to approve or disapprove fee agreements or authorize
fees under the fee petition process.
Forward any fee petition erroneously sent to the DHU so that it can be associated
with the claims folder. For routing instructions, see GN
03930.025.