Form SSA-1696. Claimant's Appointment of Representative

Form SSA-1696, the Claimant's Appointment of Representative, is used by individuals seeking representation in their dealings with the SSA. Its main purpose is to allow claimants to officially appoint a representative to act on their behalf in SSA matters.

For example, if an individual is applying for disability benefits and wants an attorney or advocate to represent them in their case, they would use this form to appoint that representative. The purpose is to establish a legal relationship between the claimant and their chosen representative.

The parties involved are claimants and their appointed representatives. The form consists of sections for the claimant's information, the representative's details, and the scope of the representative's authority. Completing this form correctly is important to ensure that the representative can effectively advocate for the claimant.