                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

PAYMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES IN CLAIMS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (§
63.2-803)

The Commissioner shall establish an advocacy project to assist recipients of
general relief or children entrusted or committed to foster care who may be
eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in obtaining
such benefits. Local departments may determine and refer appropriate potential
SSI claimants to attorneys, or advocates working under the supervision of an
attorney, for representation under this project. This project shall provide for
disbursements to any such attorney or advocate upon receipt of a favorable
decision in such referred claims.
		Such disbursements shall be in an amount determined by the Board to be
sufficient to ensure prompt and adequate representation of such recipients. This
amount shall not exceed the lesser of the recoupment for state and local
assistance paid, as provided by the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1383 (g),
as amended, or twenty-five percent of the maximum federal back-due SSI grant
payable to an individual.
		Such disbursement shall be made upon submission by the attorney of a petition
and a copy of the favorable decision. Petitions must be presented within sixty
days of the favorable Social Security Administration decision.
		The Board, in consultation with the Virginia State Bar, shall adopt
regulations necessary to implement this section.

HISTORY: 1992, c. 170, § 63.1-89.1; 2002, c. 747.