1
2026 SSA Non-Attorney Rep Exam:
Practice Questions WITH ANSWERS
,RATIONALES & Study Guide
Part 1: The 2026 EDPNA Study Guide
1. The Logistics (2026 Updates)
Exam Dates: June 3–6, 2026 (Remote, online proctoring only).
Registration: Applications were accepted Feb 1–28, 2026. You must reserve a time slot
by May 14, 2026 .
Tech Check: You must install a specific Google Chrome plug-in and pass a system
compliance check before exam day .
2. The "Big Four" Reference Materials
Since the exam is open-book, you need to know where to find the answer, not just what it is.
POMS (Program Operations Manual System): The internal SSA manual. If you need to
know the procedure for processing a claim or calculating a cap, look here .
20 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations): The actual law. Focus on Part 404 (SSDI) and Part
416 (SSI) .
HALLEX (Hearings, Appeals, and Litigation Law Manual): Crucial for procedural
questions about ALJ hearings and the Appeals Council .
SSR (Social Security Rulings): Binding interpretations of the Act. These are frequently
tested for how they clarify "gray areas" of the law .
3. Core Topics to Master
The Sequential Evaluation Process (5 Steps):
o Step 1: SGA? (Substantial Gainful Activity)
o Step 2: Severe Impairment? (Must significantly limit basic work activities).
o Step 3: Meets/Equals a Listing?
, o Step 4: Past Relevant Work (PRW) – Look back is 15 years .
o Step 5: RFC & Grids (Medical-Vocational Guidelines).
Ethics & Fees:
o Form SSA-1696: Appointment of Representative .
o Form SSA-1699: Registration for Direct Payment .
o Fee Cap: Lesser of 25% of past-due benefits or a statutory cap (currently $7,200
for 2024-2025, but know the formula, not just the number) .
Evidence & Testimony:
o VEs (Vocational Experts): Can testify about jobs, not medical opinions .
o MEs (Medical Experts): Can clarify medical conditions.
Appeals Deadlines: Generally 60 days from receipt of notice to appeal (plus 5 days for
mailing) .
📝 Part 2: Practice Questions & Rationales (2026 Edition)
The following questions are designed to mimic the style and difficulty of the actual EDPNA
exam.
Question 1: The "Severe" Impairment
Question: According to SSA regulations, an impairment is considered "severe" if it:
A) Prevents the claimant from doing any job in the national economy.
B) Meets a listing in the "Blue Book."
C) Significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.
D) Lasts for at least 24 months.
Answer: C
Rationale: This is the definition from 20 CFR 404.1520(c) . Step 2 of the sequential evaluation is
a de minimis screen. If an impairment does not significantly limit basic work activities (like
walking, sitting, or remembering instructions), it is deemed "non-severe," and the claim
generally fails at step 2 .
Question 2: The Vocational Expert (VE)
Question: At a hearing, the ALJ asks the VE: "Assuming these limitations, can the claimant
perform their past work?" The VE says no. The ALJ then asks: "Do you agree with the claimant's
psychiatrist that the stress would cause absenteeism?" Why is the second question improper?
A) The VE cannot testify about past work.
,B) The VE is offering an opinion on medical issues (diagnosis or prognosis).
C) The VE must have a law degree to answer hypotheticals.
D) It is proper; the VE can answer anything about work.
Answer: B
Rationale: Vocational Experts are hired to describe job demands and availability. They cannot
opine on the medical nature of an impairment. Asking the VE to agree with a medical source
statement invades the province of the ALJ and the Medical Expert .
Question 3: Appeals & Good Cause
Question: Your client, Mark, missed the 60-day deadline to request a hearing because he was
hospitalized for a severe stroke. He brings you the denial letter dated 90 days ago. What is your
best course of action?
A) Tell him it is too late and he must re-file a new application.
B) File the hearing request late and argue "good cause" due to his serious illness.
C) File a civil suit in federal district court immediately.
D) Ask for a fee petition.
Answer: B
Rationale: SSA regulations (20 CFR 404.911) explicitly list "serious illness preventing contact
with SSA" as a valid "good cause" reason to extend the appeals deadline. You can request the
hearing late by explaining the circumstances .
Question 4: The Fee Agreement
Question: You win a case for a client. The past-due benefits are $10,000. You have a signed fee
agreement asking for 25%. What is the maximum fee you can charge under SSA rules?
A) $3,000
B) $2,500
C) The lesser of 25% ($2,500) or the statutory cap amount.
D) You must charge a flat $6,000.
Answer: C
Rationale: The fee is the lesser of 25% of past-due benefits OR the statutory cap. The cap is
adjusted periodically, but the principle is that you cannot take 25% of a small award if the cap is
lower, nor can you charge above the cap even if 25% is higher .
Question 5: Direct Payment Eligibility
Question: To receive direct payment of fees from the SSA, a Non-Attorney Representative
must:
A) Win at least 10 hearings per year.
B) Register by filing Form SSA-1699 and passing the background check.
, C) Have a physical office within 50 miles of a hearing office.
D) Be a licensed medical doctor.
Answer: B
Rationale: The EDPNA program requires specific registration. Form SSA-1699 registers the non-
attorney for direct payment. Form SSA-1696 appoints the rep, but 1699 is specifically for
the direct pay privilege .
Question 6: Past Relevant Work (PRW)
Question: When determining Past Relevant Work (PRW) at Step 4 of the sequential evaluation,
SSA will look back at work performed within the last:
A) 5 years
B) 10 years
C) 15 years
D) 20 years
Answer: C
Rationale: SSA generally considers work done in the 15 years prior to the onset of disability to
determine if it is "Past Relevant Work." This is a standard fact pattern found in POMS and the
exam guides .
Question 7: Auxiliary Benefits
Question: Your client is approved for SSDI. She has a 10-year-old son. The son is entitled to
auxiliary benefits. These benefits are:
A) A reduction of the mother's check to pay the son.
B) A separate payment of up to 50% of the mother's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount).
C) Only payable if the son is also disabled.
D) Paid from the SSI trust fund.
Answer: B
Rationale: Auxiliary benefits (or Child's Insurance Benefits) are payable to minor children of
disabled or retired workers. These are separate payments that do not reduce the worker's
benefit (subject to the family maximum) .
Question 8: The Grids (Medical-Vocational Guidelines)
Question: A 55-year-old claimant is limited to "light work" but cannot perform their past semi-
skilled work. They have a limited education. Under the Grids (Medical-Vocational Guidelines),
this generally directs a finding of:
A) Not Disabled
B) Disabled
C) Remand for further hearing
D) Not disabled because age 55 is "younger individual"
2026 SSA Non-Attorney Rep Exam:
Practice Questions WITH ANSWERS
,RATIONALES & Study Guide
Part 1: The 2026 EDPNA Study Guide
1. The Logistics (2026 Updates)
Exam Dates: June 3–6, 2026 (Remote, online proctoring only).
Registration: Applications were accepted Feb 1–28, 2026. You must reserve a time slot
by May 14, 2026 .
Tech Check: You must install a specific Google Chrome plug-in and pass a system
compliance check before exam day .
2. The "Big Four" Reference Materials
Since the exam is open-book, you need to know where to find the answer, not just what it is.
POMS (Program Operations Manual System): The internal SSA manual. If you need to
know the procedure for processing a claim or calculating a cap, look here .
20 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations): The actual law. Focus on Part 404 (SSDI) and Part
416 (SSI) .
HALLEX (Hearings, Appeals, and Litigation Law Manual): Crucial for procedural
questions about ALJ hearings and the Appeals Council .
SSR (Social Security Rulings): Binding interpretations of the Act. These are frequently
tested for how they clarify "gray areas" of the law .
3. Core Topics to Master
The Sequential Evaluation Process (5 Steps):
o Step 1: SGA? (Substantial Gainful Activity)
o Step 2: Severe Impairment? (Must significantly limit basic work activities).
o Step 3: Meets/Equals a Listing?
, o Step 4: Past Relevant Work (PRW) – Look back is 15 years .
o Step 5: RFC & Grids (Medical-Vocational Guidelines).
Ethics & Fees:
o Form SSA-1696: Appointment of Representative .
o Form SSA-1699: Registration for Direct Payment .
o Fee Cap: Lesser of 25% of past-due benefits or a statutory cap (currently $7,200
for 2024-2025, but know the formula, not just the number) .
Evidence & Testimony:
o VEs (Vocational Experts): Can testify about jobs, not medical opinions .
o MEs (Medical Experts): Can clarify medical conditions.
Appeals Deadlines: Generally 60 days from receipt of notice to appeal (plus 5 days for
mailing) .
📝 Part 2: Practice Questions & Rationales (2026 Edition)
The following questions are designed to mimic the style and difficulty of the actual EDPNA
exam.
Question 1: The "Severe" Impairment
Question: According to SSA regulations, an impairment is considered "severe" if it:
A) Prevents the claimant from doing any job in the national economy.
B) Meets a listing in the "Blue Book."
C) Significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.
D) Lasts for at least 24 months.
Answer: C
Rationale: This is the definition from 20 CFR 404.1520(c) . Step 2 of the sequential evaluation is
a de minimis screen. If an impairment does not significantly limit basic work activities (like
walking, sitting, or remembering instructions), it is deemed "non-severe," and the claim
generally fails at step 2 .
Question 2: The Vocational Expert (VE)
Question: At a hearing, the ALJ asks the VE: "Assuming these limitations, can the claimant
perform their past work?" The VE says no. The ALJ then asks: "Do you agree with the claimant's
psychiatrist that the stress would cause absenteeism?" Why is the second question improper?
A) The VE cannot testify about past work.
,B) The VE is offering an opinion on medical issues (diagnosis or prognosis).
C) The VE must have a law degree to answer hypotheticals.
D) It is proper; the VE can answer anything about work.
Answer: B
Rationale: Vocational Experts are hired to describe job demands and availability. They cannot
opine on the medical nature of an impairment. Asking the VE to agree with a medical source
statement invades the province of the ALJ and the Medical Expert .
Question 3: Appeals & Good Cause
Question: Your client, Mark, missed the 60-day deadline to request a hearing because he was
hospitalized for a severe stroke. He brings you the denial letter dated 90 days ago. What is your
best course of action?
A) Tell him it is too late and he must re-file a new application.
B) File the hearing request late and argue "good cause" due to his serious illness.
C) File a civil suit in federal district court immediately.
D) Ask for a fee petition.
Answer: B
Rationale: SSA regulations (20 CFR 404.911) explicitly list "serious illness preventing contact
with SSA" as a valid "good cause" reason to extend the appeals deadline. You can request the
hearing late by explaining the circumstances .
Question 4: The Fee Agreement
Question: You win a case for a client. The past-due benefits are $10,000. You have a signed fee
agreement asking for 25%. What is the maximum fee you can charge under SSA rules?
A) $3,000
B) $2,500
C) The lesser of 25% ($2,500) or the statutory cap amount.
D) You must charge a flat $6,000.
Answer: C
Rationale: The fee is the lesser of 25% of past-due benefits OR the statutory cap. The cap is
adjusted periodically, but the principle is that you cannot take 25% of a small award if the cap is
lower, nor can you charge above the cap even if 25% is higher .
Question 5: Direct Payment Eligibility
Question: To receive direct payment of fees from the SSA, a Non-Attorney Representative
must:
A) Win at least 10 hearings per year.
B) Register by filing Form SSA-1699 and passing the background check.
, C) Have a physical office within 50 miles of a hearing office.
D) Be a licensed medical doctor.
Answer: B
Rationale: The EDPNA program requires specific registration. Form SSA-1699 registers the non-
attorney for direct payment. Form SSA-1696 appoints the rep, but 1699 is specifically for
the direct pay privilege .
Question 6: Past Relevant Work (PRW)
Question: When determining Past Relevant Work (PRW) at Step 4 of the sequential evaluation,
SSA will look back at work performed within the last:
A) 5 years
B) 10 years
C) 15 years
D) 20 years
Answer: C
Rationale: SSA generally considers work done in the 15 years prior to the onset of disability to
determine if it is "Past Relevant Work." This is a standard fact pattern found in POMS and the
exam guides .
Question 7: Auxiliary Benefits
Question: Your client is approved for SSDI. She has a 10-year-old son. The son is entitled to
auxiliary benefits. These benefits are:
A) A reduction of the mother's check to pay the son.
B) A separate payment of up to 50% of the mother's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount).
C) Only payable if the son is also disabled.
D) Paid from the SSI trust fund.
Answer: B
Rationale: Auxiliary benefits (or Child's Insurance Benefits) are payable to minor children of
disabled or retired workers. These are separate payments that do not reduce the worker's
benefit (subject to the family maximum) .
Question 8: The Grids (Medical-Vocational Guidelines)
Question: A 55-year-old claimant is limited to "light work" but cannot perform their past semi-
skilled work. They have a limited education. Under the Grids (Medical-Vocational Guidelines),
this generally directs a finding of:
A) Not Disabled
B) Disabled
C) Remand for further hearing
D) Not disabled because age 55 is "younger individual"
