2973.1 An applicant for, or recipient of, public benefits may be represented by a relative, a friend, or any other representative who is not employed by the District of Columbia government.

2973.2 Any person who is not a lawyer and who requests a hearing on behalf of another person shall file a statement, signed by that other person, authorizing the non-lawyer to be a representative. A hearing request is subject to dismissal if the required statement is not filed. Before dismissing a case under this subsection, an Administrative Law Judge shall notify the representative of this requirement.

2973.3 In accordance with the District of Columbia Public Assistance Act, D.C. Official Code § 4-210.10, if the public benefits applicant or recipient who requested the hearing is not represented by a lawyer, the District or a service provider may not be represented by a lawyer at any hearing involving the following public benefit programs:

1. (a) Medicaid, Healthcare Alliance or other healthcare programs administered by the District of Columbia;
2. (b) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF);
3. (c) SNAP (formerly Food Stamps);
4. (d) Interim Disability Assistance;
5. (e) General Assistance for Children;
6. (a) Shelter and services for homeless persons; and
7. (g) Program on Work Employment and Responsibility (POWER).

2973.4 The District or a service provider may be represented by a lawyer at a hearing involving any other public benefit program regardless of whether the person who requested a hearing is represented by a lawyer.

2973.5 Sections 2808 and 2810 shall govern the practice of non-attorney representatives.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 53 DCR 2009 (March 17, 2006); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 12541, 12584 (December 31, 2010); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 6556 (April 29, 2016); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 71 DCR 013913 (November 15, 2024).