Legal Support for Applications

Laws around fees for legal and other support 

By law, someone helping you with your first RECA claim can only charge 2% or less of your compensation amount, or $2000 of a $100,000 compensation award.  

    • If you are re-submitting a previously denied claim, or if you made a contract with someone before July 10, 2000, they can charge up to 10%, or $10,000. 

    • They may also charge a small amount for administrative costs. 

Any lawyer charging more than these amounts is doing so illegally. If they are found to be doing this, the federal government can charge them up to $5000 as a penalty.

Only lawyers are held to this legal limit. Some companies have found “work-arounds” that allow them to charge more than the 2/10% fees. While this is technically not illegal, it is highly discouraged, and applicants are encouraged to seek support that follows the fee limits. 

A lawyer or other service is NOT required in order to submit a RECA application.

Many people are able to submit applications on their own and be approved. However, sometimes claims can be complicated, and you may want to get help preparing your application. 

There are lots of FREE services that you might want to explore for help. These include:

  • RESEP Clinics 

  • Church groups

  • Individuals who volunteer to help people with claims 

  • The Department of Justice 

If you need more help than these free services can provide, you may decide to hire a lawyer or other group/individual to help you with your claim.

If you are concerned about outreach you’ve gotten about RECA support or feel you have been scammed, contact one of the following places:

  • Senate RECA Scam Hotline: (202) 228-4388

  • New Mexico: 505-490-4060; NMDOJ.gov/submit-a-complaint

  • Idaho: https://www.ag.idaho.gov/consumer-protection/report-scams-idaho/

  • DOJOIG.FraudComplaints@usdoj.gov