Here are the links to Social Security and attorneys fees:

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/...cm5leXMgZmVlcw!!

You indicated the attorney fee payments was a recent change. It is not. You said the fee cap was $5000 (never was) and that is going up by the month (also not true).

It is true that people die while waiting for a favorable decision. Death is not always predictable or anticipated by a person's doctor, but people with serious illnesses are more likely to die than healthier individuals. Accidents happen to all of us. The appeal process can be incredibly long and things happen in life. And it is sad that people die while waiting.

That is not what I said: this is what I said "It use to be attorneys would not touch Social Security but somewhere a law was passed and they can now get up to $5,000." If you go to SS case law at some point $5,000 was what they were entitled to, so I wouldn't agree with you that it (never was). I never said anything about the month. I don't know where your getting this. I'm baffled.

I just read as of June 2009 that the fee you agreed on is no more than 25 percent of past-due benefits or $6,000 whichever is less.
If we do not approve the fee agreement, we will notify you and your representative in writing that your representative must file a fee petition.
Your representative can charge you out-of-pocket expenses. such as medical reports, without our approval.
To read more go to www.socialsecurity.gov.

I tried to find the date this "law was passed" that you referenced and can't find a date. However, lawyers have been able to charge fee for representation for several decades, probably back to the 70's or 80's. Possibly earlier. You sentence made it seem to me that you were referring to a recent change, but you are right that you didn't actually use those terms.

But the fee cap for fee agreements was $4000, then $5300 and now $6000. Not going up by the month. For fee petition, there is no cap except the 25% of retroactive benefits.

I found this info in a red white and blue pamphlet that I picked up at the local SS office.

What IS recent about attorney fees is that SSI fees can be paid directly and non-attorneys who pass a certain test can also be paid directly.

I don't understand why your telling me something I already know. I have read section 20 CFR 404. several times yearly. By the way their policy is no more than 25%.