Helping Someone Apply for Benefits

We welcome those who wish to help another person file an application for benefits. You may be a friend, relative, attorney, paralegal, employer, or member of an advocacy group or organization.

If you are helping someone apply online for Social Security Retirement or Disability Benefits, we may ask for information about you, your relationship to the person for whom you are applying and, if applicable, the organization for which you are working.

You do not need to be appointed as the claimant's representative in order to help the claimant apply for benefits. But if the claimant wants to officially appoint you as his authorized representative to do business with Social Security, you must submit form SSA-1696-U4 (Appointment of Representative). To get a copy and an explanation of the representative process, visit our web page, Representing Claimants.

Then in the summary/remarks section of the online application, add:

"A Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative) is being forwarded to SSA on ____(date)_____."

NOTE: If you represent claimants, and want to be eligible to receive direct payment of fees, please review the new Registration Requirements for Representatives to Receive Direct Payment of Approved Fees and Forms 1099-MISC.

However, if the person is not with you or not able to sign the application, we will mail it to the claimant for verification and signature.

NOTE: It is important that the claimant sign the application - not the person who is helping him or her.

• Comply with new health privacy standards;
• Easier for claimants and medical professionals to understand and
• Compatible with electronic communication.

Please do not use a Form SSA-827 printed earlier than 2-2003.
 

Depending on the reason, you may be able to help them request an appeal online. If the application is denied for:

• Medical reasons, the Appeal Request and Appeal Disability Report can be completed and submitted online.

• Non-medical reasons, contact their local Social Security Office or call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, to request an appeal. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

• Standards of conduct for claimant representatives;
• Charging fees for representation and
• The requirements for Registration of Individuals and Staff for Appointed Representative Services including direct payment.

We also provide guidelines on obtaining genealogical information from our records.