EDPNA ACTUAL EXAM 2026 – ETHICAL | ALL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED EXPLANATIONS| VERIFIED
ANSWERS | UPDATED VERSION
Question 1
Who can serve as a representative in Social Security proceedings?
A) Attorneys, non-attorneys, or other qualified individuals who are eligible to represent
claimants before the SSA
B) Only licensed attorneys who have passed a special SSA bar exam
C) Any family member of the claimant, regardless of qualification
D) Only representatives who are employed directly by the Social Security Administration
E) Only non-attorney representatives who have passed the direct payment examination
Correct Answer: A) Attorneys, non-attorneys, or other qualified individuals who are eligible to
represent claimants before the SSA
Rationale: The rules for representation are broad, allowing for various qualified individuals,
including both attorneys and non-attorneys who meet specific eligibility criteria, to represent
claimants before the SSA.
Question 2
What qualifications are required for non-attorney representatives to be eligible to represent
claimants before the SSA?
A) They must meet certain education, training, or experience requirements and pass an
examination.
B) They must be a close relative of the claimant.
C) They must have at least five years of prior work experience with the SSA.
D) They must hold a paralegal degree from an accredited institution.
E) They must be sponsored by a licensed attorney.
Correct Answer: A) They must meet certain education, training, or experience requirements
and pass an examination.
Rationale: To ensure competency, non-attorney representatives must demonstrate their
,qualifications through a combination of education or experience and by passing a
comprehensive examination administered by the SSA.
Question 3
Which of the following individuals is explicitly NOT allowed to serve as a representative in Social
Security proceedings?
A) An individual who is currently disqualified, suspended, or disbarred from representing
claimants.
B) An individual who does not have a formal law degree.
C) A claimant's spouse or child.
D) A retired Social Security Administration employee.
E) An individual who has never represented a claimant before.
Correct Answer: A) An individual who is currently disqualified, suspended, or disbarred from
representing claimants.
Rationale: SSA maintains a list of individuals who have lost their privilege to represent
claimants due to misconduct. Any person on this list is prohibited from acting as a
representative.
Question 4
What are the primary responsibilities of a representative in Social Security proceedings?
A) Assisting claimants with applications, hearings, and appeals, and advocating on their behalf.
B) Making the final determination on Social Security benefit eligibility for claimants.
C) Approving the initial Social Security application to speed up the process.
D) Conducting independent medical examinations to be used as evidence in disability claims.
E) Guaranteeing a successful outcome for the claimant.
Correct Answer: A) Assisting claimants with applications, hearings, and appeals, and
advocating on their behalf.
Rationale: The representative's role is to guide and support the claimant through the entire
administrative process, from filing paperwork to arguing the case at a hearing, always acting
in the claimant's best interest.
,Question 5
How does a representative officially obtain authorization to represent a claimant before the
SSA?
A) By filing Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative) or a similar authorization form.
B) By obtaining a special representative license issued by the SSA.
C) By presenting a notarized letter from the claimant at the hearing.
D) By passing a background check conducted by the SSA.
E) By verbally informing the local SSA field office.
Correct Answer: A) By filing Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative) or a similar
authorization form.
Rationale: Form SSA-1696 is the official document that, once signed by both the claimant and
the representative and filed with the SSA, formally establishes the representative's authority
to act on the claimant's behalf.
Question 6
How is a representative's fee for services in Social Security cases determined and authorized?
A) Representatives must submit a fee agreement or fee petition to the SSA for approval.
B) Representatives can charge any fee they deem appropriate based on the complexity of the
case.
C) All fees are predetermined as a flat rate by the SSA and cannot be negotiated.
D) Representatives are not allowed to charge fees for their services; they are voluntary.
E) The fee is negotiated directly between the representative and the Administrative Law Judge.
Correct Answer: A) Representatives must submit a fee agreement or fee petition to the SSA for
approval.
Rationale: SSA regulates the fees that representatives can charge. To legally charge and collect
a fee, the representative must have the fee arrangement approved by the SSA, either through
a pre-approved fee agreement or a detailed fee petition filed after the work is complete.
Question 7
What is the official SSA form used to appoint a representative to act on a claimant's behalf?
, A) Form SSA-1696
B) Form SSA-3368 (Disability Report - Adult)
C) Form SSA-827 (Authorization to Disclose Information)
D) Form SSA-16 (Application for Disability Insurance Benefits)
E) Form SSA-1560 (Petition to Obtain Approval of a Fee)
Correct Answer: A) Form SSA-1696
Rationale: Form SSA-1696, "Appointment of Representative," is the specific and official form
used for this purpose. It documents the claimant's choice of representative.
Question 8
Why might a claimant choose to appoint a representative to handle their Social Security
matters?
A) To receive assistance and expert guidance with the complex application, hearing, and appeals
processes.
B) To guarantee that their claim will be processed faster than other claims.
C) To automatically increase the likelihood of receiving Social Security benefits.
D) To avoid the requirement of personally appearing at their own disability hearing.
E) To have the representative pay for their medical examinations.
Correct Answer: A) To receive assistance and expert guidance with the complex application,
hearing, and appeals processes.
Rationale: The Social Security disability process is complicated and governed by a large body
of laws and regulations. A representative provides expertise to help the claimant navigate this
system effectively.
Question 9
Once appointed, what authority does a representative have in Social Security matters?
A) To act on behalf of the claimant in all dealings with the SSA, including representing them in
hearings and submitting documents.
B) To make final decisions on behalf of the claimant regarding whether to accept or appeal an
SSA decision.
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED EXPLANATIONS| VERIFIED
ANSWERS | UPDATED VERSION
Question 1
Who can serve as a representative in Social Security proceedings?
A) Attorneys, non-attorneys, or other qualified individuals who are eligible to represent
claimants before the SSA
B) Only licensed attorneys who have passed a special SSA bar exam
C) Any family member of the claimant, regardless of qualification
D) Only representatives who are employed directly by the Social Security Administration
E) Only non-attorney representatives who have passed the direct payment examination
Correct Answer: A) Attorneys, non-attorneys, or other qualified individuals who are eligible to
represent claimants before the SSA
Rationale: The rules for representation are broad, allowing for various qualified individuals,
including both attorneys and non-attorneys who meet specific eligibility criteria, to represent
claimants before the SSA.
Question 2
What qualifications are required for non-attorney representatives to be eligible to represent
claimants before the SSA?
A) They must meet certain education, training, or experience requirements and pass an
examination.
B) They must be a close relative of the claimant.
C) They must have at least five years of prior work experience with the SSA.
D) They must hold a paralegal degree from an accredited institution.
E) They must be sponsored by a licensed attorney.
Correct Answer: A) They must meet certain education, training, or experience requirements
and pass an examination.
Rationale: To ensure competency, non-attorney representatives must demonstrate their
,qualifications through a combination of education or experience and by passing a
comprehensive examination administered by the SSA.
Question 3
Which of the following individuals is explicitly NOT allowed to serve as a representative in Social
Security proceedings?
A) An individual who is currently disqualified, suspended, or disbarred from representing
claimants.
B) An individual who does not have a formal law degree.
C) A claimant's spouse or child.
D) A retired Social Security Administration employee.
E) An individual who has never represented a claimant before.
Correct Answer: A) An individual who is currently disqualified, suspended, or disbarred from
representing claimants.
Rationale: SSA maintains a list of individuals who have lost their privilege to represent
claimants due to misconduct. Any person on this list is prohibited from acting as a
representative.
Question 4
What are the primary responsibilities of a representative in Social Security proceedings?
A) Assisting claimants with applications, hearings, and appeals, and advocating on their behalf.
B) Making the final determination on Social Security benefit eligibility for claimants.
C) Approving the initial Social Security application to speed up the process.
D) Conducting independent medical examinations to be used as evidence in disability claims.
E) Guaranteeing a successful outcome for the claimant.
Correct Answer: A) Assisting claimants with applications, hearings, and appeals, and
advocating on their behalf.
Rationale: The representative's role is to guide and support the claimant through the entire
administrative process, from filing paperwork to arguing the case at a hearing, always acting
in the claimant's best interest.
,Question 5
How does a representative officially obtain authorization to represent a claimant before the
SSA?
A) By filing Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative) or a similar authorization form.
B) By obtaining a special representative license issued by the SSA.
C) By presenting a notarized letter from the claimant at the hearing.
D) By passing a background check conducted by the SSA.
E) By verbally informing the local SSA field office.
Correct Answer: A) By filing Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative) or a similar
authorization form.
Rationale: Form SSA-1696 is the official document that, once signed by both the claimant and
the representative and filed with the SSA, formally establishes the representative's authority
to act on the claimant's behalf.
Question 6
How is a representative's fee for services in Social Security cases determined and authorized?
A) Representatives must submit a fee agreement or fee petition to the SSA for approval.
B) Representatives can charge any fee they deem appropriate based on the complexity of the
case.
C) All fees are predetermined as a flat rate by the SSA and cannot be negotiated.
D) Representatives are not allowed to charge fees for their services; they are voluntary.
E) The fee is negotiated directly between the representative and the Administrative Law Judge.
Correct Answer: A) Representatives must submit a fee agreement or fee petition to the SSA for
approval.
Rationale: SSA regulates the fees that representatives can charge. To legally charge and collect
a fee, the representative must have the fee arrangement approved by the SSA, either through
a pre-approved fee agreement or a detailed fee petition filed after the work is complete.
Question 7
What is the official SSA form used to appoint a representative to act on a claimant's behalf?
, A) Form SSA-1696
B) Form SSA-3368 (Disability Report - Adult)
C) Form SSA-827 (Authorization to Disclose Information)
D) Form SSA-16 (Application for Disability Insurance Benefits)
E) Form SSA-1560 (Petition to Obtain Approval of a Fee)
Correct Answer: A) Form SSA-1696
Rationale: Form SSA-1696, "Appointment of Representative," is the specific and official form
used for this purpose. It documents the claimant's choice of representative.
Question 8
Why might a claimant choose to appoint a representative to handle their Social Security
matters?
A) To receive assistance and expert guidance with the complex application, hearing, and appeals
processes.
B) To guarantee that their claim will be processed faster than other claims.
C) To automatically increase the likelihood of receiving Social Security benefits.
D) To avoid the requirement of personally appearing at their own disability hearing.
E) To have the representative pay for their medical examinations.
Correct Answer: A) To receive assistance and expert guidance with the complex application,
hearing, and appeals processes.
Rationale: The Social Security disability process is complicated and governed by a large body
of laws and regulations. A representative provides expertise to help the claimant navigate this
system effectively.
Question 9
Once appointed, what authority does a representative have in Social Security matters?
A) To act on behalf of the claimant in all dealings with the SSA, including representing them in
hearings and submitting documents.
B) To make final decisions on behalf of the claimant regarding whether to accept or appeal an
SSA decision.
