SSA-1696 Customer-Assembly Preparation Kit
This workflow helps you prepare an SSA-1696 appointment-of-representative form for both parties to complete. PostalForm prepares the official form and delivers the unsigned preparation kit only to your verified address. PostalForm does not file, serve, or submit it. Have the claimant and representative review the form, apply compliant signatures and dates, complete any representative registration or fee steps, and submit it to the SSA office handling the pending claim or appeal.
PostalForm prepares and prints an unsigned customer-assembly kit and sends it only to your verified address. You perform final assembly and submission.
PostalForm is not affiliated with Social Security Administration.
Need more context?
The form is ready to fill now. If you want supporting instructions, mailing notes, or source links, they are below.
Important details+
Answer the guided questions and PostalForm prepares the official form, leaves signature areas blank, adds a customer instruction cover, and sends the packet only to your verified address. Nothing is filed or submitted for you. Have the claimant and representative review the form, apply compliant signatures and dates, complete any representative registration or fee steps, and submit it to the SSA office handling the pending claim or appeal.
What you need+
- Your Social Security number (and the number holder’s if you claim on someone else’s record)
- Your representative’s name and SSA Rep ID (they must be registered with SSA)
- The claim types the appointment covers
- The fee arrangement your representative selected
- Signatures from both you and your representative
- The address of the Social Security office handling your claim (from your SSA letters or ssa.gov/locator)
- Hand-sign the printed form after the preparation kit is delivered
Form summary+
This workflow helps you prepare an SSA-1696 appointment-of-representative form for both parties to complete. PostalForm prepares the official form and delivers the unsigned preparation kit only to your verified address. PostalForm does not file, serve, or submit it. Have the claimant and representative review the form, apply compliant signatures and dates, complete any representative registration or fee steps, and submit it to the SSA office handling the pending claim or appeal.
How it works+
- Answer the guided questions and review the prepared form information.
- PostalForm prints the official form with signature areas left blank and sends the customer-assembly kit only to your verified address.
- After delivery, follow the cover instructions, hand-sign where required, and add every original, certified record, payment, witness, certification, companion form, or other physical item.
- Verify the current deadline and destination, then personally complete final submission through the official channel.
Where it gets mailed+
PostalForm mails the unsigned preparation kit to you. You complete the signatures, physical enclosures, and final submission yourself.
Packet order+
- Customer assembly instruction cover (remove and keep before final submission)
- Prepared unsigned form (signature and reserved third-party fields blank)
Common mistakes+
- Appointing a representative who has not registered with SSA — since September 30, 2024, SSA requires a Rep ID before recognizing a new appointment.
- Mailing the form with only one signature — a new appointment needs both yours and your representative’s.
- Leaving the fee arrangement blank — if the representative is eligible for direct payment, SSA assumes they will seek it.
- Sending the form to SSA headquarters or the State Disability Determination Services office instead of the office handling your claim.
- Using one form for several representatives — SSA requires a separate SSA-1696 for each.
- Filing the form when there is no pending claim or issue — SSA rejects an SSA-1696 with nothing to attach it to.
FAQs+
Where do I send Form SSA-1696?
To the Social Security office handling your claim — there is no single national mailing address. Use the return address printed on your SSA letters about the claim, or look up your local field office at ssa.gov/locator. If a hearing office has your case, use that office’s address.
Does my representative need to be registered with SSA?
Yes. Since September 30, 2024, anyone not previously registered must register (Form SSA-1699) and receive a Rep ID before SSA will recognize a new appointment. The Rep ID goes on this form.
Can we file the SSA-1696 online instead?
Yes — SSA’s e1696 portal lets you and your representative complete, e-sign, and submit the form electronically. It requires both of you to participate online; the mailed paper form is the alternative when that is not practical.
Who has to sign?
For a new appointment, both you and your representative sign Section 8. For updates, the signature depends on the section being updated — your signature for Section 3, your representative’s for Section 5, and both for Sections 4, 6, or 7.
Does it cost anything to appoint a representative?
The form is free. Any fee your representative charges for their services must generally be authorized by SSA, and the fee arrangement you record on this form tells SSA how the representative expects to be paid.
Can I appoint more than one representative?
Yes, but SSA requires a separate SSA-1696 for each representative. If you have several, this form also lets you name your principal representative — the one SSA contacts.
Sources+
Related+
Last verified+
Last Social Security Administration verification: July 12, 2026