Changes to the Administrative Rules for Claimant Representation and Provisions for Direct Payment to Entities

Issuing agencies

Abstract

We are revising our regulations to enable us to directly pay entities fees we may authorize to their employees, as required by the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (First Circuit) in Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP v. Collins. To make direct payments, issue the necessary tax documents, and properly administer these rules, we are requiring all entities that want to be assigned direct payment of authorized fees and all representatives who want to be appointed on a claim, matter, or issue to register with us. We also are standardizing the registration, appointment, and payment processes. This rule will help us implement the changes required by the Marasco decision, increase accessibility to our electronic services, reduce delays, and help us prepare for more automation, thereby improving our program efficiencies.