The Standard Fee Agreement
Under SSA’s fee-agreement process, the authorized fee generally cannot exceed the lesser of 25% of past-due benefits or the applicable dollar cap, provided the agreement meets the rules. SSA’s published cap checked September 28, 2026 is $9,200, effective November 30, 2024.
That description is not a universal cap on every possible representative fee. Fee petitions and federal court fees follow different procedures. An agreement also needs to address its scope; a case that proceeds beyond a specified stage may involve different terms and authorization.
Fees And Expenses Are Different
Expenses may include charges for obtaining medical records and other permitted case costs. The actual agreement should explain whether they are advanced, when reimbursement is expected, and whether they remain payable if benefits are not awarded.
Do not assume that “no fee unless successful” means “no possible expense.” No Glassman-specific fee or expense arrangement is established by this educational guide. Ask for the terms that apply to your representation and keep a copy of the signed agreement.
A Simple Fee Example
If the applicable past-due benefit amount is $20,000 and the authorized standard agreement fee is 25%, the fee is $5,000. That leaves $15,000, or 75%, before any other applicable adjustments.
For direct fee payments on or after December 1, 2025, SSA’s processing assessment is the lesser of 6.3% of the representative’s payment or $123. On a $5,000 direct payment, that is $123, not $315. The assessment reduces the representative’s payment and cannot be passed on to the claimant.
Questions To Ask Before Signing
Ask who will represent you, which stages are covered, how expenses are handled, and what may change if the case reaches federal court. Ask how any fee petition, auxiliary benefits, or concurrent SSDI/SSI benefits could affect the calculation.
Appointment and fee authorization are separate matters. Form SSA-1696 is used to appoint a representative; it is not itself an approval of any requested fee. Review the award and fee notices when issued, and promptly address discrepancies or review deadlines.
Sources & Further Reading
General educational information, not legal advice. Social Security determines eligibility.