Background
A plain overview, for law firms, of the work an appointed representative performs in SSDI and SSI matters before the Social Security Administration — from intake through hearing.
Initial intake establishes where a claimant is in the SSDI or SSI process: what has been filed, which deadlines are running, and what records will need to be developed. For a firm involved in a related matter, this stage mostly confirms that the matter is in posture for SSA administrative representation and identifies what the appointed representative will need to take it forward.
SSA representation begins only after the claimant signs an appointment of representative on SSA Form 1696 and the appointment is filed with SSA. Until SSA has the appointment on file, the representative has no authority to act on the claimant's behalf before the agency.
Where co-representation is appropriate, an attorney at the law firm and a non-attorney representative may each be appointed on the same matter, consistent with SSA's rules and the firm's professional-responsibility obligations.
Administrative representation typically involves requesting and organizing medical records, working with treating sources on supporting statements where appropriate, and ensuring the SSA file reflects the impairments, treatment history, and functional limitations relevant to SSA's sequential evaluation.
When a matter is set for hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, preparation includes reviewing the exhibit file, identifying gaps, submitting pre-hearing materials where appropriate, and preparing the claimant for the hearing format — including how vocational and medical experts may be examined.
At the ALJ hearing, the appointed representative presents the claimant's case within SSA's procedures, including direct examination of the claimant and questioning of any vocational or medical expert called by the agency. Hearings are commonly held by video or telephone.
This is administrative representation before SSA, not court representation.
SSA administrative representation is limited to representation before the Social Security Administration. It does not extend to federal court proceedings, to legal services outside the scope of authorized SSA administrative representation, or to services reserved to licensed attorneys.
Allied Legal Professional Services is not a law firm. Adam Whalan, EDPNA is not an attorney and does not provide court representation or legal services outside the scope of authorized SSA administrative representation.
Related Background
Background on EDPNA status — the SSA recognition that allows certain non-attorney representatives to appear before the agency and to be paid directly by SSA when a representative fee is authorized.
Important
Allied Legal Professional Services is not a law firm. Adam Whalan, EDPNA is not an attorney, does not provide court representation, and does not provide legal services outside the scope of authorized Social Security administrative representation. Allied Legal Professional is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of the Social Security Administration or any other government agency. Nothing on this site is legal advice, and visiting this site does not create a representative or attorney relationship.
