Understanding Supplemental Security Income How Someone Can Help You With Your SSI -- 2024 Edition

HOW SOMEONE CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)


YOU MAY CHOOSE SOMEBODY TO HELP YOU WITH:

    small blue ballCompleting forms;

    small blue ballCalling your local Social Security office;

    small blue ballInterpreting for you;

    small blue ballGathering and giving information;

    small blue ballTaking you to medical examinations, tests, or contacting your local Social Security office; or

    small blue ballReceiving mail for you at their address.

IF YOU WANT HELP WITH YOUR CLAIM, YOU MAY APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE TO HELP YOU:

    small blue ballComplete and file forms;

    small blue ballGather information and file it with us;

    small blue ballReview your file and understand the law;

    small blue ballGet information from us about your claim, including notices and letters, just as you would;

    small blue ballRepresent you at informal or formal hearings;

    small blue ballGive us evidence for you; or

    small blue ballHelp you with your appeals. (See our Chapter on the APPEALS PROCESS)

HOW DO YOU APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE?

    small blue ballYou must sign a statement naming (or in other words “appointing”) your representative.  We have an "Appointment of Representative" form that you can use.  You can obtain it online at www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-1696.pdf or call us and ask for Form SSA-1696.

    small blue ballYour representative does not have to be a lawyer, but he or she must have certain qualifications. For example, attorneys must be licensed and all others must have good character and skills to help you. Also, the representative cannot be someone who is disqualified or suspended from representing individuals before us or is prohibited by law from acting as a representative.

    small blue ballAn appointedrepresentative's duties are different from those of a representative payee's.

NOTE See our chapter on the REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM for information about a representative payee's duties.

IF YOU DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH OR HAVE DIFFICULTY SPEAKING ENGLISH

    small blue ballWe will provide an interpreter, at no cost to you, if you ask for one or if you need language assistance.

    small blue ballYou may use a bilingual family member, friend, or other third party to interpret for you, if they meet our requirements for a qualified interpreter.

For more information, see the SSI Spotlight on Interpreter Services.

NOTEWe will not use minor children age 18 as interpreters when dealing with difficult issues, unless they are qualified and you request that we do so.

IF YOU ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING

    small blue ballYou may provide your own sign language interpreter, at no cost to us.

    small blue ballIf you prefer, we will provide you with a sign language interpreter, if needed, at no cost to you.

IF YOU THINK YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE

If you do not have a representative and we denied your case, we will give you a list of legal referral services, legal service organizations (for example, local bar associations, legal aid societies, legal service corporations, and law schools with legal aid programs), and community organizations in your area that may represent you or help you find a representative at no charge.

The representative you appoint may not charge you a fee that is more than the amount we authorize.

WHAT WE WILL ASK YOU ABOUT

To decide whether you can get SSI, we will ask you about:

If you are age 65 or over, or a child under age 18, we will ask for proof of your age (unless you already receive Social Security benefits). If you are under age 18 and living with your parent(s), or if you are married and living with your spouse, we will also ask about their income and resources.

If you are applying because you are disabled or blind, we will complete a disability report. We will ask about your health problems, your treatment history, and how your health problems affect your daily activities.

We will also ask for all of your medical records from medical sources and request authorization from you to obtain those records.  You can also mail your medical records to your local Social Security office after you have filed your application.

You can complete the Child Disability Report at www.ssa.gov/childdisabilityreport if you are filing for a child.

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