CLARIFICATION OF PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES UNDER CONTINGENT FEE AGREEMENTS.

SEC. 504. CLARIFICATION OF PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES UNDER CONTINGENT FEE AGREEMENTS. (a) Clarification.—Subparagraph (A) of section 5904(d)(2) is amended to read as follows: “(A) A fee agreement referred to in paragraph (1) is one under which the total amount of the fee payable to the attorney— “(i) is to be paid to the attorney by the Secretary directly from any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of the claim; and “(ii) is contingent on whether or not the matter is resolved in a manner favorable to the claimant.”. 108 STAT. 4664 (b) Effective Date.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to fee agreements entered into on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.