I-1-2-2.Definitions Related to Fee Processes

Last Update: 1/28/03 (Transmittal I-1-44)

A. Representative

A representative is the individual, either an attorney or a qualified non-attorney, whom the claimant appointed in writing to act on his/her behalf in pursuing a claim or asserted right before the Social Security Administration (SSA).

B. Claimant

A claimant is any individual whose asserted rights under titles II, XVI or XVIII of the Act are, or may be, affected by an SSA determination or decision. As used throughout this chapter, the term includes a beneficiary. References to the “claimant” as a party, include any person authorized to act on the claimant's behalf (e.g., parent, legal guardian or representative payee).

C. Affected Auxiliary Beneficiary

An affected auxiliary beneficiary is a beneficiary, in a life or death case, who has benefited from the representative's services to the claimant who appointed the representative. References to the “affected auxiliary beneficiary” as a party include any person authorized to act on the beneficiary's behalf (e.g., parent, legal guardian or representative payee).

D. Processing Centers (PCs)

PCs are the six Program Service Centers and the Office of Central Operations (OCO). OCO is comprised of the Office of Disability Operations and the Office of International Operations.

E. Fee Authorization

Fee authorization is the means by which SSA approves the amount of the fee a claimant's representative(s) may charge and collect for services provided to a claimant in proceedings before SSA.