Author: Catherine M. Callery (Kate)| Louise M. Tarantino
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently revised its Appointment of Representative form (Form SSA-1696-U4). The new form was effective in June 2009, and is available at http://www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-1696.pdf. It corrects a very minor error at the end of the first paragraph in Part II. The 05-2008 version states: “(Completion of Part II satisfies this requirement.)” The new version changes this to “Part III.”
Make sure you clear out all your old versions of the 1696. At the very least, be certain that you are using the 2008 version, which added language allowing the claimant to authorize SSA to release information to designated associates who perform administrative duties (e.g., clerks), partners, and/or parties under contractual arrangements (e.g. copying services) for or with a representative, in addition to the designated representative.