article About Representative Registration

Representative Registration

As of September 30, 2024, all Appointed Representatives assisting SSI/SSDI claimants using the SSA-1696 must now register as a Representative using the new SSA-1699: Representative Registration form. 

Important Notes for SOAR Providers

Read more about the rule and justification for the changes.  

Benefit of Registration

Now that registration is required, all representatives will have an Appointed Representative ID number. When you include your Representative ID on the SSA-1696, SSA will have a streamlined process to add you to the claim in their electronic system. This will help ensure you get copies of communications sent to the applicant and that DDS can see that you are the appointed representative on the claim. 

FAQs

• Do you have to use your own Social Security Number (SSN), Date of Birth (DOB), and home address? 
  Yes, the representative is registering as an individual and must provide their SSN, DOB, and home address on the form. The form is only submitted to SSA and never provided to the applicants you represent. It is between the representative and SSA. 
• Can my agency be the entity that registers instead of me? 
  No, the case worker must register as an individual.
• Do you have to submit the SSA-1699 with every application? 
  No, you only have to register once. You will need to re-register if your contact information changes.  
• Where do I submit the completed SSA-1699? 
  Fax it to 1-877-268-3827 for processing. It cannot be mailed. 
• How do I submit the form if I don't have a fax machine?
  The form must be faxed. Businesses that provide shipping services or your local library may be able to assist. There are also free and paid online fax services.
• How do I indicate to SSA that I am not collecting a fee? 
  You will check “No” for question 4 in Section IV and skip Section V regarding fees and payment.  
• Will this mean that I am enrolled in Appointed Representative Services (ARS)? 
  No. ARS is currently limited to people representing applicants at the ALJ Hearing level and above.   
• Does this mean there needs to be a Representative ID Number on the top of all SSA-1696 forms?  
  Yes, once you receive your ID number (typically in 2-3 weeks), you will include it on all SSA-1696 forms.  
• If the SSA-1699 is not completed correctly, will SSA contact the representative to revise the form? How will that contact be made? 
  Yes, if the SSA-1699 is missing any critical information, (i.e., personal information, attestations, or signature), SSA must contact the representative and ask them to complete and resubmit the form. SSA will make up to three attempts to contact the representative by telephone at different times of day on three separate days. If you do not hear from SSA, call the SSA Appointed Representative Services at 1-800-772-6270.
• Will there be a grace period during which the SSA-1696 will still be honored while folks wait for their Appointed Representative ID number? 
  There is no grace period. If SSA receives an SSA-1696 that was signed on September 30th or later and the representative is not registered, they will return the paperwork and let the representative know they need to register via the SSA-1699. 
• If a Representative does not register using the SSA-1699, will existing representation be honored? 
  SSA will honor representative appointments established before September 30. If SSA receives an SSA-1696 that is SIGNED before September 30, 2024, they will process the appointment under the old guidelines.