attorneys fees for claimants

attorneys fees for claimants Sec. 173. Section 206(a) of the Social Security Act is amended by inserting, immediately before the last sentence thereof, the following new sentences: “Whenever the Secretary, in any claim before him for benefits under this title, makes a determination favorable to the claimant. he shall, if the claimant was represented by an attorney in connection with such claim, fix (in accordance with the regulations prescribed pursuant to the preceding sentence) a reasonable fee to compensate such attorney for the services performed by him in connection with such claim. If as a result of such determination, such claimant is entitled to past-due benefits under this title, the Secretary shall, notwithstanding section 205(i), certify for payment (out of such past-due benefits) to such attorney an amount equal to whichever of the following is the smaller: (A) 25 per centum of the total amount of such past-due benefits, (B) the amount of the attorney’s fee so fixed, or (C) the amount agreed upon between the claimant and such attorney as the fee for such attorney’s services.”