Form SSA-1696-SUP1: Withdrawing or Changing a Representative

Form SSA-1696-SUP1, Claimant's Revocation of the Appointment of a Representative, is the official Social Security Administration (SSA) form a claimant may use to end a representative's appointment. Under 20 CFR 404.1710, a representative's authority ends when SSA receives the claimant's revocation. SSA then updates its records to reflect the change.

Navigating a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim can require substantial time and communication. While many claimants appoint an attorney or qualified non-attorney representative during the application or appeal process, circumstances can change. Communication may break down, the claimant may decide to proceed without representation, or the claimant may want to appoint someone else.

A telephone conversation alone does not satisfy SSA's requirement for revoking an appointment. SSA requires a signed and dated written statement identifying the representative whose appointment is being revoked. Form SSA-1696-SUP1 provides a standardized way to give that notice, although SSA also permits a claimant to submit an appropriate signed and dated written statement instead.

The Legal Foundation of Representative Revocation

Federal regulations preserve a claimant's control over the appointment of a representative. Under 20 CFR 404.1710, a claimant may revoke a representative's appointment by notifying SSA in writing. The claimant does not need the representative's consent or proof of misconduct to end the appointment.

Form SSA-1696-SUP1 is specifically for a claimant's revocation. A representative who wants to withdraw should instead provide SSA with signed and dated written notice and may use Form SSA-1696-SUP2, Representative's Withdrawal of Acceptance of an Appointment. These actions end an appointment from different directions and therefore use different forms.

A claimant is not required to use Form SSA-1696-SUP1 if the written revocation otherwise meets SSA's requirements. Nevertheless, the form can reduce uncertainty by collecting the claimant's identity, the affected representative's identity, and the claimant's signature in a standard format.

Structure of Form SSA-1696-SUP1

Form SSA-1696-SUP1 is a short form designed to identify the claimant, identify the appointment being revoked, and document the claimant's signed instruction to SSA.

Section 1: Claimant Identifying Details

The claimant-information portion asks for the claimant's Social Security number, name, and address. These details help SSA associate the revocation with the correct claim or other pending matter. Claimants should use accurate, current information and review the form before submitting it.

Section 2: Representative Information

The form asks for the name of the representative whose appointment is being revoked. It also provides space for the representative's identification number, if known, and address. A claimant should use a separate form for each appointment being revoked.

Section 3: Designation of Revocation or Change

The claimant states that the previously appointed representative's appointment is revoked. If the revoked person was the principal representative and the claimant has other appointed representatives, the form also permits the claimant to identify a new principal representative from among those already appointed.

Form SSA-1696-SUP1 does not appoint a new representative who has not previously been appointed. A claimant who wants to appoint a new person must complete the separate appointment process, generally using Form SSA-1696.

Section 4: Signature and Affirmation

The claimant must sign and date the revocation. The former representative's signature is not required for a claimant-initiated revocation. The revocation becomes effective when SSA receives it, so the claimant should submit it promptly to the office handling the matter.

Redirection of Official Correspondence and Case Notices

Filing the revocation promptly helps SSA know who is authorized to act for the claimant and receive information about the claim. While an appointment is active, SSA may communicate with both the claimant and the appointed representative under its rules for represented claimants.

If a claimant ends the working relationship informally but does not notify SSA in writing, practical problems can arise:

• Crucial Appeal Deadlines: Under 20 CFR 404.909, a claimant generally must request reconsideration within 60 days after receiving notice of the initial determination. Under SSA's 2026 rules, SSA ordinarily assumes the notice was received five days after the date on it unless the claimant shows otherwise. A claimant should review the notice for the applicable deadline and act promptly.
• Consultative Exam Scheduling: SSA or a state Disability Determination Services agency may schedule a medical examination when additional evidence is needed. Missing an examination without good reason can adversely affect the claim, so the claimant should make sure SSA has current contact information.
• Direct Communications: Once SSA records the revocation, the former representative no longer has authority to act for the claimant. The claimant should confirm that SSA has a current mailing address and telephone number and should monitor the claim for requests and notices.

How Fee Arrangements Are Handled After Revocation

Revoking an appointment does not necessarily erase a representative's right to seek compensation for services already provided. Representative fees are subject to SSA authorization under federal law and 20 CFR 404.1720. A representative generally may not charge or collect a fee for services before SSA unless SSA authorizes it.

Under the SSA fee-agreement process applicable in 2026, an approved fee generally cannot exceed the lesser of 25% of past-due benefits or $9,200. The $9,200 maximum took effect on November 30, 2024 and remained the specified maximum as of 2026. Whether a particular agreement qualifies for approval depends on SSA's rules and the facts of the case.

When representation ends before SSA decides the claim, the effect on fees depends on the fee agreement, the representatives involved, the timing of the decision, and whether SSA uses the fee-agreement or fee-petition process.

Effect on the Fee Agreement

Revocation ends the representative's authority to act for the claimant, but it does not automatically cancel every fee obligation or prevent SSA from authorizing or directly paying a fee. For fees authorized on or after December 9, 2024, SSA may directly pay an eligible former representative even if the appointment ended before the determination or decision, provided the other requirements of the applicable fee process are satisfied.

A claimant should review the written fee agreement and any notices from SSA. Disputes about an authorized fee have specific administrative-review procedures and deadlines stated in SSA's fee notice.

The Fee Petition Requirement

A former representative may need to use the fee-petition process when an approved fee agreement does not govern the fee request. Under 20 CFR 404.1725, a representative requesting approval of a fee must provide information about the services performed, the time spent, the requested amount, and related matters.

SSA evaluates a fee petition and authorizes a reasonable fee based on the services provided and other relevant factors. SSA states that there is no general deadline for filing a fee petition. However, an eligible representative seeking direct payment from withheld past-due benefits should generally file the petition, or written notice of intent to petition, within 60 days after the date of the award notice under SSA's 2026 procedures.

A representative may also waive charging and collecting a fee. Claimants should not assume that filing Form SSA-1696-SUP1 by itself constitutes a fee waiver or resolves any outstanding fee issue.

Hiring a New Representative

If a claimant appoints a new representative, SSA's fee rules may require changes to an existing fee agreement. When multiple representatives use the fee-agreement process, all representatives seeking a fee generally must sign a single agreement unless a representative who did not sign waives charging and collecting a fee.

If the fee-petition process applies to multiple representatives, each representative seeking a fee generally files a separate petition. SSA, rather than the representatives alone, authorizes the fees that may be charged or collected.

Submitting Form SSA-1696-SUP1 to the Social Security Administration

To help SSA record the revocation correctly, follow the instructions on the current form:

1. Obtain the Official Form: Download Form SSA-1696-SUP1 free from SSA.gov or obtain it from an SSA office.
2. Complete the Requested Fields: Enter the claimant's identifying information and identify the representative whose appointment is being revoked. Include the representative's identification number if known.
3. Sign and Date the Form: SSA requires the claimant's signed and dated written notice. Use a separate form for each representative whose appointment is being revoked.
4. Submit It to SSA: Send or deliver the completed form to an SSA office, preferably the office currently handling the claim or appeal. Follow any submission instructions provided by that office.
5. Keep Submission Records: Retain a copy of the completed form and evidence showing when and how it was delivered. The claimant may also provide a copy to the former representative.

If the claimant is appointing a new representative, the claimant and new representative should also complete the appointment process using Form SSA-1696. Submitting the revocation and new appointment materials together may help SSA update the record, but claimants should still verify that both changes were processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I revoke my SSDI representative at any point during my claim? Yes. Under 20 CFR 404.1710, a claimant may revoke a representative's appointment by providing signed, dated written notice to the Social Security Administration.

Does my former representative get paid after I submit Form SSA-1696-SUP1? Possibly. Revocation ends the representative's authority to act for you, but it does not necessarily eliminate the representative's right to request or receive an SSA-authorized fee for services already provided. The result depends on the fee arrangement and SSA's applicable fee procedures.

What form do I file to name a new representative after revoking my prior one? You and the new representative generally must complete and submit Form SSA-1696 to establish the new appointment. Form SSA-1696-SUP1 revokes an existing appointment but does not appoint a new person.

This article is general information about SSA filing procedures, not legal advice. Program rules, forms, and processing details change over time, and every situation is different. Consult a qualified representative or contact SSA directly for guidance on your specific claim.