416.1599—Reinstatement after suspension or disqualification—period of suspension not expired.
(a)
After more than one year has passed, a person who has been suspended or disqualified may ask the Appeals Council for permission to serve as a representative again.
(b)
The suspended or disqualified person shall submit any evidence he or she wishes to have considered along with the request to be allowed to serve as a representative again.
(c)
The Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs (or other official the Commissioner may designate), or his or her designee, upon notification of receipt of the request, shall have 30 days in which to present a written report of any experiences with the suspended or disqualified person subsequent to that person's suspension or disqualification. The Appeals Council shall make available to the suspended or disqualified person a copy of the report.
(d)
(1)
The Appeals Council shall not grant the request unless it is reasonably satisfied that the person will in the future act according to the provisions of section 206(a) of the Act, and to our rules and regulations.
(2)
If a person was disqualified because he or she had been disbarred or suspended from a court or bar, the Appeals Council will grant a request for reinstatement as a representative only if the criterion in paragraph (d)(1) of this section is met and the disqualified person shows that he or she has been admitted (or readmitted) to and is in good standing with the court or bar from which he or she had been disbarred or suspended.
(3)
If a person was disqualified because he or she had been disqualified from participating in or appearing before a Federal program or agency, the Appeals Council will grant the request for reinstatement only if the criterion in paragraph (d)(1) of this section is met and the disqualified person shows that he or she is now qualified to participate in or appear before that Federal program or agency.
(4)
If the person was disqualified as a result of collecting or receiving, and retaining, a fee for representational services in excess of the amount authorized, the Appeals Council will grant the request only if the criterion in paragraph (d)(1) of this section is met and the disqualified person shows that full restitution has been made.
(e)
The Appeals Council shall mail a notice of its decision on the request to the suspended or disqualified person. It shall also mail a copy to the Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs (or other official the Commissioner may designate), or his or her designee.
(f)
If the Appeals Council decides not to grant the request it shall not consider another request before the end of 1 year from the date of the notice of the previous denial.