Life Catlin Insurance Call 401-287-2737

Registered with the Social Security Administration

Someone to deal with Social Security for you — at no charge

Social Security paperwork is confusing, the phone lines are long, and one missed deadline can cost you money for the rest of your life. I am registered with the Social Security Administration as an Appointed Representative. With your written permission, I can talk to them on your behalf and handle the back-and-forth for you.

Because Social Security is a federal program, I can do this for people in all 50 states.

Call or text 401-287-2737 or tell me your situation online →

What is a Social Security Appointed Representative?

An Appointed Representative is a person you formally authorize, in writing, to deal with the Social Security Administration for you. Once the appointment is on file, that person can ask Social Security questions on your behalf, receive copies of your notices, help you complete applications, and follow up on the status of your case. A representative can be an attorney or a non-attorney. Social Security keeps a register of representatives and assigns each one an identification number.

Do I need a lawyer to deal with Social Security?

No. Social Security's own rules say your representative can be an attorney or a non-attorney. For routine matters — signing up for Medicare, correcting a record, asking why a letter says what it says, submitting a form — most people never need a lawyer at all. A contested disability case that is heading toward a hearing or federal court is a different situation, and for that you should speak with a disability attorney.

How much does this cost?

I do not charge you a fee for representation. I am not registered with Social Security for direct payment of fees, and I do not take a percentage of anyone's benefits. If you later choose to enroll in a Medicare or insurance plan through me, the insurance company pays me a commission — and your plan costs exactly the same as it would if you signed up on your own.

What I can help with

Signing up for Medicare on time

Knowing exactly which enrollment window applies to you, what happens if you are still working or covered through a job, and how to avoid a late-enrollment penalty that follows you for life.

Talking to Social Security for you

Once your appointment is on file, I can contact them on your behalf and receive copies of your notices, so you are not sitting on hold or trying to decode a letter alone.

Applications and paperwork

Retirement, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income applications — gathering what is needed, filling it out correctly, and getting it submitted.

Programs that lower your costs

Many people qualify for help paying Medicare premiums and prescription costs and never find out. I check whether you do and help you apply.

Straight answers about what I am not

  • I am not an attorney and I do not give legal advice. If your situation needs a lawyer, I will tell you plainly and point you toward one.
  • I do not work for Social Security and I am not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.
  • I am not eligible for direct payment of fees from Social Security, and I do not charge you for representation.
  • I am not a representative payee. That is a different role — a payee manages someone's benefit money. I do not handle anyone's money.

How the appointment actually works

1

We talk first

Call or text and tell me what is going on. If it is something I can help with, I will say so. If it is not, I will tell you who to call instead. No charge either way.

2

You sign Form SSA-1696

This is Social Security's official Appointment of Representative form. It is what gives me permission to deal with them for you. There is an online version where we each complete our part electronically, or a paper version we can fill out together and mail in.

3

Social Security puts it on file

Once it is on file, I can contact them about your case and receive copies of what they send you. You stay in control and can end the appointment at any time.

4

I handle the back-and-forth

Calls, follow-ups, paperwork, and keeping track of deadlines — and I keep you updated in plain language, not government language.

Call or text 401-287-2737 or tell me your situation online →

Or email [email protected]

Common questions

Can someone else talk to Social Security on my behalf?
Yes. Social Security will speak with someone you have formally appointed in writing using Form SSA-1696, the Appointment of Representative form. Without that form on file, privacy rules stop them from discussing your record with anyone else — even a spouse or adult child in many cases.
What is Form SSA-1696?
Form SSA-1696 is Social Security's official Appointment of Representative form. You sign it to name the person you want representing you, and they sign to accept. It can be completed online, where each side fills in their portion electronically, or on paper and mailed, faxed, or delivered to a local Social Security office.
What is the difference between an appointed representative and a representative payee?
They are commonly confused but completely different. An appointed representative deals with Social Security about your case — applications, questions, notices, appeals. A representative payee is appointed by Social Security to manage and spend benefit money for someone who cannot manage it themselves. A representative never touches your money.
Does a non-attorney representative cost less than a lawyer?
It depends entirely on the representative. Any fee charged by any representative, attorney or not, has to be approved by Social Security first — nobody can simply bill you whatever they want. In my case the question does not arise, because I do not charge a fee for representation at all.
Can you help me if I do not live in Rhode Island?
Yes, for Social Security matters. Social Security is a federal program with the same rules in every state, and representative registration is federal, so I can represent people anywhere in the United States. Insurance is different — that is state-licensed, and I am currently licensed in 19 states. If you need both, ask and I will tell you exactly what I can and cannot do where you live.
When do I have to sign up for Medicare?
Most people have a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period: the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months after. If you are still working past 65 and covered by an employer group plan, different rules may apply and you may be able to delay without penalty. Getting this wrong is expensive and permanent, which is why it is worth one phone call to confirm.
Do I have to go to a Social Security office in person?
Often, no. Many things can be handled online or by phone, and once an appointment of representative is on file, I can do much of the contacting for you. Some situations do still require an in-person visit or a scheduled appointment, and I will tell you when that is the case.
Is there really no catch to the no-fee part?
No catch, but here is the full picture so you can judge for yourself. I am a licensed insurance broker. If you decide to enroll in a Medicare or insurance plan through me, the insurance carrier pays me a commission, and your cost is identical to signing up on your own. If you never buy anything, you still get the help, and I am not permitted to charge you for the representation either way.

Local help in Rhode Island

I am based in North Providence and regularly help people in Providence, Pawtucket, Cranston, Warwick, Woonsocket, and across all 39 Rhode Island cities and towns. I am glad to meet in person, come to you, or handle everything by phone — whichever is easier.

The Social Security office serving most Rhode Island residents is at 30 Quaker Lane, 1st Floor, Warwick, RI 02886, reachable at 1-866-964-2038, open Monday through Friday. If you would rather not deal with them yourself, that is exactly what this service is for.

Also see: Medicare plans and enrollment · Rhode Island coverage · Final expense insurance

Tell me what is going on

The more you tell me here, the faster I can tell you whether I can actually help — and if I cannot, who you should call instead. There is no charge and no obligation.

Never send your Social Security number through this form. I do not need it to tell you whether I can help. If it is needed later, we will handle it securely — never by web form, email, or text.

Optional. Leaving this unchecked will not affect the help you get with the request above.

By submitting this form you agree that Omar Catlin and Life Catlin Insurance may contact you by phone call, text message and email about the request you just described, at the number and address you provided. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to any text to opt out.

Sending this does not make me your representative. Nothing is official until you sign Social Security's Form SSA-1696 and they put it on file. I am not an attorney and this is not legal advice.