SSA’s New SNT Attorney Fee Authorization Requirement: When It Doesn’t Apply and Compliance Options If It Does

The Social Security Administration has taken steps effective June 25, 2019, to require advance approval of your attorney fee for preparing some, but not all, Special Needs Trusts. Advocacy organizations are already seeking to rescind this rule, presently enforceable by civil and criminal proceedings, through litigation, Congressional amendment, or SSA administrative advocacy. In the meantime this webinar provides valuable information to help you determine which SNTs are subject to the rule, which SNTs are not, and further, to understand and choose which of the two distinct types of SSA fee approval processes is more financially and administratively advantageous to use: the SSA “Fee Agreement Process” or the “Fee Petition Process.” Materials provided contain the various forms for the two SSA processes as well as suggesting practical steps to take immediately to maximize your chance of a favorable approval of your fee while minimizing the administrative burdens on your compliance. The two separate SSA guidelines for evaluating your fee petition, for those claims approved at the local SSA office without a hearing, and for those approved after an ALJ hearing, will be provided and discussed. Read Less