An attorney or representative may not be the first thing that comes to mind when applying for government benefits, but because there are such high rates of denial for Social Security benefits many people decide an attorney is the best way to go in help securing those benefits. It is important to know that hiring and attorney or representative is not required, but can be quite helpful especially if a claimant has to appear before a judge and supply Social Security with medical evidence. Social Security does give everyone the right to be represented in a Social Security case and below the agency describes this right.
What a representative can do
Once you appoint a representative, he or she can act on your behalf before Social Security by:
- Getting information from your Social Security file;
- Helping you get medical records or information to support your claim;
- Coming with you, or for you, to any interview, conference, or hearing you have with us;
- Requesting a reconsideration, hearing, or Appeals Council review; and
- Helping you and your witnesses prepare for a hearing and questioning any witnesses.
Your representative will also receive a copy of the decision(s) we make on your claim(s).
Choosing a representative
You can choose an attorney or other qualified individual to represent you. You can also have more than one representative. However, you can’t have someone who, by law, can’t act as a representative, or someone the Social Security Administration has suspended or disqualified from representing others.
Some organizations can help you find a representative or give you free legal services, if you qualify. Some representatives don’t charge unless you receive benefits. Your Social Security office has a list of organizations that can help you find a representative.
You can appoint one or more people in a firm, corporation, or other organization as your representatives, but you can’t appoint the firm, corporation, or organization. After you choose a representative, you must tell us in writing as soon as possible. To do this, you must use Form SSA-1696 U4, Appointment of Representative, which is available from our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or at any Social Security office. You must give the name of the individual you are appointing and sign your name. If the individual isn’t an attorney, he or she must also sign the form.
