What a Representative Does When Filing Your SSDI Claim
A representative—also called a claimant representative or advocate—submits your SSDI paperwork to Social Security on your behalf and handles communications with the agency throughout your case. The representative does not make decisions for you, but they manage the filing process, track important date, gather medical records, and prepare documents that support your claim. You remain the person Social Security contacts, and you must sign forms authorizing the representative to act for you.
Representatives come in three types: attorneys, non-attorney agents (also called accredited representatives), and non-profit organizations. All three must be accredited by Social Security to charge a fee. The representative's main job is to organize your medical evidence, fill out the required forms correctly, and submit everything to Social Security within the proper timeframe.
Key Takeaways
- A representative files your SSDI paperwork and communicates with Social Security, but you must sign a form (SSA-1696-U2) authorizing them to do so.
- Representatives can be attorneys, accredited non-attorney agents, or non-profit organizations, and all must be accredited by Social Security to charge a fee.
- The representative collects your medical records, fills out your process forms, and submits everything to Social Security within the filing important date.
- Representative fees are capped at 25 percent of your past-due benefits (the money owed from your approval date back to your process date), with a maximum of $7,200 as of 2024.
- You can hire a representative at any point—before filing, during your initial claim, or after a denial when you file an appeal.
How to Authorize a Representative to File for You
Before a representative can file your SSDI case, you must sign Form SSA-1696-U2 (Appointment of Representative). This form tells Social Security that you are giving the representative permission to act on your behalf. You can sign this form before or after you file your claim, but Social Security will not accept any documents from the representative until they have the signed form on file.
You can obtain Form SSA-1696-U2 from the representative themselves, from your local Social Security office, or from the Social Security website. The form requires your name, Social Security number, the representative's name and contact information, and your signature. Once you sign it, give it to your representative—they will submit it to Social Security along with your process or during your case.
You can also authorize a representative by phone. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them you want to appoint a representative. They will take the representative's information over the phone and create a record in your file. However, Social Security will still mail you a copy of Form SSA-1696-U2 to sign and return, so the phone route does not skip the paperwork.
What Documents the Representative Collects and Submits
The representative's first task is to gather your medical records from every doctor, hospital, clinic, and mental health provider you have seen. They will request records from each provider and organize them into a timeline that shows how your condition has affected your ability to work. This is the core of your SSDI case—Social Security needs medical evidence to approve your claim.
The representative also collects your work history, tax returns or pay stubs, and any other documents that show your earnings and job duties. They fill out Form SSA-3368 (Work History Report) with details about each job you held, the dates you worked, and what you did. They may also complete Form SSA-3373 (Function Report) if Social Security requests it, which describes how your condition limits your daily activities and ability to work.
Once all documents are gathered, the representative submits them to Social Security along with your completed process. The representative keeps copies of everything and tracks which records have been received. If Social Security requests additional information, the representative responds on your behalf.
Timeline for Filing Through a Representative
The filing process itself takes one to two weeks once you have authorized the representative and provided them with your medical records. The representative needs time to request records from your providers, which can take two to four weeks depending on how quickly each office responds. Some providers charge a copying fee (usually $0.25 to $1.00 per page), which the representative may ask you to pay upfront.
Once the representative has your records and completed forms, they submit everything to Social Security. Social Security then takes 3 to 6 months to make an initial decision on your claim. If Social Security denies your claim, you have 60 days to file an appeal. The representative can file the appeal on your behalf and represent you at a hearing before an administrative law judge if your case reaches that stage.
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Authorize representative and provide records | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Representative requests medical records from providers | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Representative submits process to Social Security | 1 to 2 weeks after records arrive |
| Social Security reviews and decides | 3 to 6 months |
| If denied, file appeal (representative can do this) | Must file within 60 days of denial notice |
How Representative Fees Work
Representatives charge a fee only if your claim is approved and you receive past-due benefits. The fee is taken from your past-due benefits—the money Social Security owes you from your approval date back to your process date. You do not pay the fee out of your own pocket; Social Security deducts it and sends the remainder to you.
As of 2024, the maximum fee is 25 percent of your past-due benefits, capped at $7,200 total. This means if your past-due benefits are $10,000, the representative can charge up to $2,500 (25 percent). If your past-due benefits are $30,000, the representative can charge the maximum of $7,200, not 25 percent of $30,000. The fee cap changes each year based on inflation, so confirm the current maximum with your representative.
Some representatives charge less than 25 percent, and some charge a flat fee. Before you hire a representative, ask them in writing what they charge and request a fee agreement. The representative must give you a copy of the fee agreement, and you must sign it. If Social Security denies your claim, you owe the representative nothing.
When to Hire a Representative
You can hire a representative at any stage of your SSDI case. Many people hire one before filing their initial claim because a representative knows which medical records matter most and how to organize them to strengthen your case. Others file on their own first, and if Social Security denies the claim, they hire a representative to handle the appeal.
Hiring a representative before filing can be helpful if your medical condition is complex, you have seen many providers, or you are unsure how to describe your limitations. A representative can also help if you have had a previous SSDI denial and are filing again—they can review what went wrong and address those issues in the new process.
If you are already in an appeal after a denial, a representative becomes more important. Appeals require detailed written arguments and often involve a hearing before a judge. A representative who has experience with appeals can present your case more effectively than you can on your own.
How to Find and Verify a Representative
Social Security maintains a list of accredited representatives on its website at ssa.gov under "Find a Representative." You can search by location, name, or organization. The list shows whether the representative is an attorney, non-attorney agent, or organization, and it displays their accreditation status. Only hire someone whose name appears on this list—unaccredited representatives cannot legally charge you a fee.
You can also contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a referral to a representative in your area. Many non-profit disability organizations offer free representation or charge reduced fees based on your income. Search online for "disability legal aid" or "SSDI representative" plus your state name to find local organizations.
Before hiring, ask the representative about their experience with cases like yours, how long they have been accredited, and whether they have handled appeals or hearings. Request references from past clients if possible. Get everything in writing, including the fee agreement and what services they will provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fire my representative and hire a different one?
Yes. You can withdraw authorization from one representative and appoint another by signing a new Form SSA-1696-U2. Social Security will update your file with the new representative's information. If your first representative already charged a fee from your past-due benefits, that fee is deducted and you cannot recover it, but the new representative's fee will be calculated separately.
What happens if my representative does not respond to Social Security?
Social Security will contact you directly if your representative is not responding. You remain responsible for meeting important date and providing information, even if your representative is slow. If your representative is not doing their job, you can withdraw authorization and hire someone else, or you can contact Social Security's Office of the Inspector General to file a complaint about the representative's conduct.
Do I have to hire a representative to file SSDI?
No. You can file your SSDI claim yourself without a representative. However, many people find that a representative improves their chances of approval because they know how to organize medical evidence and fill out forms correctly. If you file on your own and are denied, you can hire a representative to handle your appeal.
What if I cannot afford a representative's fee?
Many non-profit organizations represent SSDI claimants for free or at reduced cost. Search for "disability legal aid" or "pro bono SSDI representation" in your state. Some representatives also offer payment plans or reduced fees for low-income claimants. Ask about these options before you assume you cannot afford representation.
Can a representative file my case if I am still working?
Yes. A representative can file your SSDI claim whether you are working or not. However, Social Security has rules about how much you can earn and still receive SSDI benefits. Your representative should discuss your work history and current earnings with you before filing to make sure your case is structured correctly.