Why Authorized Representatives for Disability Claims are Beneficial

Authorized representatives for disability claims are helpful for a claimant to have because they usually have extensive experience in navigating the Social Security administration programs and understand the rules and how to satisfy them quickly and easily the first time.  Applications can sail quickly through the review and medical disability rating and evaluation process when all of the required elements needed for approval of a claim are in place and ready to be evaluated for approval of the claim.  An authorized representative can help to make the approval happen.  In claims that are being appealed and reconsidered almost seventy one percent will have an attorney representing their interests at the hearing level.  All authorized representatives practicing before the Social Security programs in any capacity must comply with the Standards of Responsibility for Representatives or Rule of Conduct in terms of prohibited conduct and obligations once appointed. 

Who Make be Appointed Authorized Representative

An individual must be:

An Attorney

• Has the right to practice law
• Is not otherwise disqualified from practicing before the Social Security
• Is not prohibited by law from acting as a representative

Any Other Person

• Generally recognized in the community as having a good character and reputation
• Is able to provide valuable assistance to a claimant in their claim for benefits
• Is not otherwise disqualified from practicing before the Social Security
• Is not prohibited by law from acting as a representative

How To Appoint an Authorized Representative

The easiest method of appointing an authorized representative is to request a copy of the special form that the Social Security uses for appointment purposes, “Form SSA-1696 Appointment of Representative.” The form contains important information about appointing a representative, the process involving the agreement on the part of the representative to function on your behalf and the waiver of representation fees and/or the submission of fee schedules by representatives.  Most attorney representatives will not charge a fee unless they are successful in winning benefits on the disability claim for their client.  If the authorized representative does charge the claimant a service fee that fee cannot be paid unless Social Security first approves the fee.  

 Getting Legal Help

If you or a member of your family need assistance completing and submitting an application to a Social Security program for disability benefits it would be helpful to contact a disability lawyer to discuss the circumstances of the disability and the program application that you would like help submitting. Disability attorneys can provide important guidance through the application process and are available to function as authorized representatives when requested to do so.