From Emergency Message EM-21041:
A. Purpose
This Emergency Message (EM) provides Field Offices (FOs) and Social Security Card Centers (SSCCs) information regarding the nationwide implementation of the Express Interview (EXI) process. In addition, this EM provides instructions for scheduling appointments, conducting interviews, and documenting interviews, as part of the EXI process. This process was established to address the challenges the public has faced in providing enumeration and documentary proofs, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
B. Background
Effective May 28, 2021, FOs and SSCCs nationwide will begin offering the new EXI option. EXIs are brief interviews, lasting approximately 5-7 minutes, which allow eligible individuals to apply for an original or replacement Social Security Number (SSN) card and submit necessary evidence in person.
While this initiative is primarily intended to assist customers who need an SSN card, EXIs are also available for purposes of gathering evidence needed for processing claims and other workloads, as well as for individuals who meet certain limited, critical situations.C. Express Interview Criteria
In order to qualify for an EXI, individuals must:· meet existing limited, critical appointment criteria such as:
o original cards for individuals age 12 or older;
o replacement cards for individuals who need to update or correct their information, such as name, date of birth, or citizenship, or to obtain income, resources, medical care or coverage, or other services or benefits (e.g., filing a tax return, applying for housing, or seeking an Economic Impact Payment);
AND· be unable to use our automated services (e.g. enumeration at birth, enumeration at entry or enumeration beyond entry) or online SSN replacement card service (iSSNRC).
Individuals also qualify for an EXI if they are unable or unwilling to mail original evidence documents. ...
And so it begins...
ReplyDeleteFWIW, it does not appear that there has been a correspondent increase in in-office staffing. I guess the plan is to have the skeleton crew who have worked in the office throughout the pandemic handle these interviews, at least initially.
And why did it take 14 months (and Congressional pressure)to come up with this? SSA upper management is asleep at the wheel and the public suffers.
ReplyDeleteThe post office. THE POST OFFICE, lets start there, shall we? All that info heading out into limbo-land. I totally get not wanting to send all that stuff in. I have had SOOO many documents lost by them, or delivered to another address (luckily it was a courthouse and THEY delivered it to SSA, they were full medical records), as well have lost almost unreplaceable documents. Whether it be SSA or USPS, there needs to be a safer way. Priority Overnight WITH signature confirmation didn't even work. Hence the courthouse incident. That being said, those documents should always be handed over in person, and returned in person. Even if it takes a face-to-face meeting. They lose things, the post office loses things... it's a nightmare. Glad to see at the very least 5-7 minute interviews, sure beats having to replace irreplaceable documents. Same with passports applications, who thinks the USPS should be trusted with such sensitive material?
ReplyDeleteEXI -just a little longer than Hello and Goodbye...
ReplyDeleteAll FOs will be moving to 25% staffing in the next several weeks, this is what the WH wants. Get ready for your tier 3 notice and get that doctors note if you want to stay home
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity, are you "in the know"?
DeleteBased on today's Commissioner's Broadcast on Telework it appears @5:45 doesn't know what he/she is talking about. There is no indication CO is changing the policy of maximum telework in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, it sounds like telework is here to stay permanently.
DeleteThe broadcast says not all work is portable and discusses express interviews. 25% staffing is consistent with the workplace safety plan, so let’s wait a week or two and see what comes down the pike.
ReplyDelete