Getting a grip of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) process can be complex, especially when filing for benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Many individuals choose to appoint a representative to assist with their claims. The official way to do this is by completing SSA Form 1696, also known as the “Appointment of Representative” form.
What is SSA Form 1696?
Individuals use Form 1696 to appoint a representative who can act on their behalf when dealing with the SSA. A representative can be an attorney or a non-attorney, such as a family member, advocate, or professional from a legal aid or non-profit organization. They communicate with SSA and Disability Determination Services (DDS), ensuring the claimant’s case progresses smoothly. The SSA requires this form to be filled out and submitted before the representative can officially assist with the case.
Representatives must adhere to SSA’s guidelines, including seeking SSA’s approval for any fees charged. Many representatives, especially from non-profit organizations, may waive the right to fees entirely.
How to fill out SSA Form 1696
Filling out this form involves a step-by-step process where both the claimant and the representative provide specific information. Below is a detailed breakdown of each section:
1. Claimant’s information (Section 1)
The first section requires the claimant’s details, including name, address, and Social Security number. If the claim is based on another person’s work or benefits, such as a parent or spouse, you need to provide that person’s information too. For claimants without stable housing, the representative’s address can be used as the mailing address for SSA correspondence.
2. Disclosure authorization (Section 2)
The claimant must authorize SSA to share information with their appointed representative’s staff or affiliated individuals. This allows the representative’s office to act fully on behalf of the claimant, ensuring no delays in communication. The SSA will verify credentials to protect the claimant’s information.
3. Principal representative designation (Section 3)
If a claimant wishes to appoint more than one representative, they must designate one as the principal representative who will receive all official communications. This section can be left blank if only one representative is being appointed.
4. Representative’s information (Section 4)
This section collects details about the representative, such as their name, contact information, and mailing address. If the representative is from a legal aid organization or another agency, the agency’s address will be used for official SSA correspondence.
5. Representative’s status and certifications (Section 5)
Here, the representative specifies their status—whether they are an attorney, a non-attorney eligible for direct payment, or a non-attorney not eligible for payment. For representatives from non-profit organizations, this section also allows them to waive any fees they might otherwise charge.
The representative must certify their adherence to SSA’s rules of conduct by initialing this section.
6. Claim type (Section 6)
In this section, the claimant or representative indicates the type of Social Security claim. For disability claims, the third option, “Concurrent Title II and Title XVI Disability Benefits,” is often selected. Title II refers to Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI), while Title XVI refers to SSI. This section also includes options for cases such as Continuing Disability Reviews or overpayments.
7. Fee agreement (Section 7)
Representatives who work for free or waive their right to a fee, such as those from non-profit organizations or SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) programs, must check the box indicating they are waiving fees. If the representative charges a fee, SSA must approve it, and fees cannot be collected without this authorization.
8. Signatures (Section 8)
Both the claimant and the representative must sign and date the form. For paper submissions, ink signatures are required, while electronic signatures are allowed for online submissions.
How to submit SSA Form 1696
Once the form is completed, it can be submitted in two ways:
Electronically: The form can be filled out and submitted online through the SSA website. Both the claimant and the representative will need valid email addresses, and an electronic signature is required. This is the faster and more convenient method, particularly for those with basic computer skills.
Paper submission: If electronic submission isn’t feasible, you can print the form, fill it out manually, and submit it to your local SSA office either by mail or in person. Make sure to keep a photocopy for your records.
