My name is John La Croix. I am an Eligible for Direct Pay Non-Attorney [EDPNA] who represents Social Security disability claimants in their pursuits of Title II Social Security Disability Insurance -- DIB or SSDI -- and Title XVI Supplemental Security Income -- SSI -- benefits.
From assisting with initial applications to appearances at hearings with Administrative Law Judges [ALJs] from Social Security's Hearings office , I represent claimants before the United States Social Security Administration.
The easiest ways to see if I can help you are to call me at (303) 517-7663 or to email me at john@edpnarep.com.
I have worked on thousands of claims as a paralegal and case manager in a private attorney's Social Security Disability practice for over two decades. I have held the status of Eligible for Direct Pay Non-Attorney [EDPNA] since 2011 when I passed the EDPNA exam offered by the Social Security Administration [SSA] in Saint Louis, MO. I have complied with all of the requirements to maintain the eligibility for direct payment continuously without since I passed the EDPNA examination, a very strictly proctored in-person exam back then, that was administered at Washington University.
The eligibility for direct payment is not a certification, license, or accreditation, and to claim so likely goes against the Regulations. It is simply an authorization status required for to be eligible for direct payment as a representative in a DIB or SSI claim. An "accreditation" as a representative from an organization like NADR means absolutely nothing to Social Security. You do not need to get a representative to start an application process. You can even go through the entire application and administrative appeals process without a representative, if you wish to do so.
This SSA pamphlet talks about representation from Social Security's perspective https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10075.pdf.
I am glad to talk to anyone about their issues, questions, and concerns regarding Title II Social Security Disability Insurance -- DIB/SSDI -- and Title XVI Supplemental Security Income -- SSI. The virtual nature of the appeals process -- most hearings by administrative law judges are by telephone or video -- enables me to represent clients in all 50 States, as well as Title II DIB/SSDI claimants who may be abroad.
After a claimant signs an Appointment of Representative [Form SSA 1696] and a Contingent Fee Agreement with me, I will file it and then use my account on Social Security's Electronic Records Express [ERE] system to review the claim file. ERE is an essential tool to track, evaluate, and update a claim with SSA.
I recommend that you verify that any prospective representative you contact has access to ERE.
The Appeals Council is a level of review SSA offers if a claimant disagrees with an Unfavorable decision or aspects of an otherwise Favorable decision made by an administrative law judge. As noted above, I am happy to talk with anyone regarding their issues, questions, and concerns regarding Title II Social Security Disability Insurance -- DIB/SSDI -- and Title XVI Supplemental Security Income -- SSI. That said, I do not typically take on clients who want to file a Request for Review of Decision/Order to appeal an ALJ denial, especially I did not represent you at the ALJ hearing. The goal in any case is to get the claim approved and to do so at or before a hearing by an administrative law judge.
Social Security disability representation fees for non-attorneys are the same as the representation fees for attorneys: 25% of your past-due (back) benefits if you are approved, capped at a maximum of $9,200 (as of November 30, 2024). You only pay if you win your case; the fee is deducted by SSA directly from your lump-sum back pay. No fee is taken from future monthly payments. This is called a contingent fee arrangement. Out of pocket expenses, if any, are billed separately, and usually do not exceed $150.00 per claim. https://www.ssa.gov/representation/fee_agreements.htm
Give me a call (303) 517-7663. If I don't think I can help you, I will try to point you in a helpful direction.