1. Who We Are

Empower Representation, Inc. is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity providing free Social Security disability advocacy and representation to claimants nationwide.

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website, communications, forms, services, and other interactions with Empower Representation.

2. Information We May Collect

The information we collect depends on how you interact with Empower Representation. Information may include:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Mailing or residential address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Social Security number when necessary for representation or claim-related purposes
• Information concerning Social Security disability claims, applications, appeals, or hearings
• Medical records and health-related information
• Employment and work-history information
• Forms, documents, correspondence, and records provided to Empower
• Information submitted when requesting representation or contacting us
• Donation and supporter information
• Volunteer, partnership, sponsorship, or other organizational inquiries
• Other information you voluntarily provide to us

3. Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically by our website, hosting provider, analytics services, security systems, or other technology providers.

This information may include:

• Internet Protocol (IP) address
• Browser type
• Device type
• Operating system
• Pages viewed
• Date and time of visits
• Referring website or source
• General website usage and interaction information

This information may be used to maintain website functionality, understand site usage, improve our services, and help protect our systems from misuse or security threats.

4. Cookies & Similar Technologies

Our website and service providers may use cookies or similar technologies for website functionality, security, preferences, performance, and analytics.

Your browser may allow you to block, limit, or delete cookies. Disabling certain cookies may affect how some website features function.

5. How We Use Information

Information may be used to:

• Respond to inquiries and requests for assistance
• Review requests for representation
• Determine whether Empower may be able to provide representation
• Provide Social Security disability advocacy and representation
• Communicate with claimants concerning their cases
• Prepare, develop, submit, or maintain claim-related documentation
• Communicate with the Social Security Administration and other appropriate entities when authorized
• Obtain, organize, review, or use medical and other evidence relevant to a disability claim
• Process donations and communicate with supporters
• Respond to partnership, sponsorship, or organizational inquiries
• Maintain organizational and case records
• Improve our website, services, and communications
• Protect against fraud, misuse, unauthorized access, or security threats
• Comply with applicable legal, regulatory, administrative, or recordkeeping requirements

7. How Information May Be Shared

Information may be disclosed when reasonably necessary:

• With your authorization or at your direction
• To the Social Security Administration or other government entities involved in your disability claim
• To healthcare providers, records providers, or other entities involved in obtaining relevant evidence
• To trusted service providers that support our operations, communications, technology, forms, donations, hosting, security, or document handling
• When required by law, court order, subpoena, or other lawful process
• To protect the rights, safety, security, or property of Empower Representation, our claimants, users, or others
• To investigate or prevent fraud, abuse, unauthorized access, or security incidents

8. Third-Party Service Providers

Empower uses third-party technology and service providers to help operate our organization, website, communications, intake systems, and fundraising activities.

Third-party providers operate under their own privacy policies, terms, and security practices. Information submitted directly through a third-party service may also be governed by that provider’s policies.

9. Donations & Payments

When you make a donation, certain information may be collected and processed by a third-party donation or payment provider.

Empower may receive information necessary to acknowledge, record, and administer the contribution, such as the donor’s name, contact information, donation amount, date, and other transaction-related details provided by the payment platform.

Payment-card or financial-account information may be processed directly by the applicable payment provider rather than stored directly by Empower.

10. Data Security

Empower takes reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures intended to protect personal and confidential information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, loss, misuse, or destruction.

However, no website, electronic communication, online service, or data-storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Users should use reasonable care when transmitting sensitive information electronically.

11. Data Retention

Empower may retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide services, maintain case and organizational records, comply with applicable requirements, resolve disputes, protect legitimate interests, and fulfill the purposes described in this policy.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the purpose for which it was collected.

12. Children & Minors

Empower may provide disability-related advocacy or representation involving claims for minors when appropriate. Information concerning a minor may therefore be collected from a parent, guardian, authorized individual, government agency, healthcare provider, or other appropriate source as necessary for representation or case administration.

Our website is not intended to solicit personal information directly from children without appropriate involvement of a parent, guardian, or authorized adult.

13. Equal Opportunity & Nondiscrimination

Empower Representation is committed to serving individuals fairly and respectfully. Information collected through our website or services is not intended to be used for unlawful discrimination.

14. External Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. Empower Representation does not control the privacy practices, security, availability, or content of external websites.

Users should review the privacy policies and terms of any third-party website or service they choose to use.

15. Privacy Choices & Requests

You may contact Empower with questions or concerns about personal information you have provided to us.

Depending on the nature of the information, our obligations, and applicable requirements, we may be able to assist with requests to review, update, correct, or otherwise address information maintained by Empower.

Certain records may need to be retained for case, administrative, legal, security, or recordkeeping purposes.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Empower Representation may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, technology, operations, service providers, or applicable requirements.

When this policy is materially updated, the effective date displayed on this page may also be revised.

17. Confidentiality Notice

Communications with Empower Representation may contain confidential or sensitive information. Individuals should use appropriate care when sending medical records, Social Security numbers, government documents, or other sensitive information.

Submitting information through this website, a form, email, or other communication method does not by itself establish a representative relationship with Empower Representation. Representation is established only when Empower has agreed to accept representation and the required authorization or representation documentation has been completed.