Millions of Social Securityrecipients are facing longer waits to secure claim appointments as the agency struggles to recover from historic staffing cuts. The delays affect how quickly retirees, disabled Americans and low‑income beneficiaries can access critical income and identity services. …
Internal agency data show that only 64.6 percent of initial claims were scheduled within 30 days as of July 6, down from 78.1 percent a year earlier. In some regions, the rate recently fell below 45 percent, underscoring how widespread the delays have become. …
Social Security Administration Announces New Online Tools and Notices for Disability Claims Agency enhances online platform to expand service for disability cases
Baltimore, MD – The Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced major enhancements to mySocial Security, expanding self-service options and the notices available to individuals navigating the disability claims and appeals process. The new tools will provide individuals with greater visibility, faster access to information, and more efficient case processing throughout the lifecycle of a disability claim.
“Our digital-first approach to service is now extending to disability through the Claim Status Tracker, expansion of digital notices, and online document submission, enabling SSA to deliver better outcomes for the American people,” said Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. “By making more tools available online, we are empowering claimants to stay informed and manage their Social Security benefits with greater ease and confidence.”
“These digital tools will streamline operations and empower claimants to stay informed and promptly respond to important developments throughout the hearing process, eliminating the need for hearing offices to make outbound calls and instead, focus on reviewing cases in a timely manner,” said Chief of Disability Adjudication Jay Ortis.
Enhancements to mySocial Security
Submit Disability Adjudication Forms Online: Individuals can now complete and submit disability adjudication forms directly through their personal mySocial Securityaccount, including:
Form HA-4631, Recent Medical Treatment;
Form HA-4632, Medication Information; and
Form HA-4633, Work Background.
Online submission helps ensure adjudicators receive information quickly and supports more efficient case processing.
Track Disability Claim Status Online: Individuals with a pending disability claim, appeal, or recently adjudicated claim can now view the status of their case online at the Hearings and Appeals levels. The Claim Status Tracker provides real-time updates, processing time estimates, and key milestones throughout each level of adjudication. Features include:
Notification when the hearing office receives a Request for Hearing;
Status updates as the hearing office reviews information and prepares the case for hearing;
Status updates when a hearing decision is issued; and
Appeals Request for Review status updates, receipt of review requests, and completion of actions.
Access Proffer Letters Securely: Individuals can securely access proffer letters in the mySocial Security Message Center. A proffer letter is a notice sent when new evidence is added to a case after a hearing, allowing claimants to review and respond before a decision is made.
Access 26 Additional Social Security Notices in mySocial Security Message Center: Individuals can view electronic copies of their hearing-related notices by logging into their personal account. The following notices are now available for digital release to accountholders:
Notice of Hearing
Request for Good Cause for Late Filing
Request to Withdraw a Hearing Request
Please Contact Us
Postponement of Hearing
Amended Notice of Hearing
Notice of Continued Hearing
Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing
Request for Hearing Acknowledgement Letter
Notice to Show Cause for Failure to Appear
Response to Request for Expedited Processing
Good Cause Found to Reschedule Hearing
Transfer Request for Hearing
Claimant Questionnaires
Waiver of Timely Written Notice
Time to Submit Evidence
On the Record Notice
ALJ Approval of Fee Agreement
ALJ Disapproval of Fee Agreement
Important Notice About Representation
Notice of Closing the Record
Notice Regarding Substitution of Party Upon Death of Claimant
Congressional Letter
Letter Template
Claimant Restriction Letter
Case Status Letter
Notice of Hearing Reminder
Proffer Letter
Claimants may opt to receive email or text notifications when new documents are available. Paper notices will continue to be mailed to claimants and their appointed representatives. This enhancement supports faster case processing and timely communications.
SSA continues to increase the functionality of mySocial Security to ensure that the more than 100 million Americans with accounts have a seamless experience when accessing their personal information. With an account, individuals have 24/7 access to their personalized retirement benefits and 1099 forms, can receive tailored notifications, request a replacement card, manage benefits or estimate future benefits, request replacement documents, check the status of pending applications, and conduct other services anytime, anywhere, without needing to visit an office or wait on the phone.
Frank Bisignano, the head of the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration, sits atop two government organizations that store vast reams of sensitive financial data about every taxpayer.
But when he was the co-chief operating officer at JPMorgan Chase, he spied on fellow executives—using his authority over the security department and position to access sensitive information and internal communications, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke with the Wall Street Journal.
After years of complaints about his behavior, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon told Bisignano he would support him finding a job elsewhere. Once he left, investigators from the legal department found digital traces of the spying activity, including records that showed email access, and the bank instituted new rules requiring approval from the legal department
Courtney Forrest, an attorney for Bisignano, denied that that he never spied on co-workers. She said he “never directed anyone to look through any employee’s or executive’s communications or engaged in any form of surveillance.”…
“Support him finding a job elsewhere.” Is that something like getting fired?
Update: An attorney for Bisignano says that he “never directed anyone to look through any employee’s or executive’s communications.”
For 59-year-old Mary Gates, returning to work was supposed to be a step toward greater independence.
Instead, when her work-study job ended, Gates said her Social Security disability benefits stopped too. She spent months trying to get them restored, falling behind on bills before Legal Aid D.C. helped resolve her case. …
Gates told WUSA9 she took a work-study job at the University of the District of Columbia. When the program ended in March, she said her benefits also stopped.
"In the process of it, they also ended my Social Security," Gates said.
She said she repeatedly contacted the Social Security Administration but struggled to get answers. …
"I had gotten behind on all my bills," Gates said. "They're telling me, 'Well, we're still working on it.'"
Without the monthly payments she depended on, Gates said she feared she could lose her home before the issue was resolved. …
When I say multiply by 100,000 I’m not just talking about disability claimants who return to work and then stop. I’m talking about all the myriad ways that things may get out of whack or need to be updated. They’re not tracking the delays in doing these sort of things or at least they’re not releasing the numbers if they do. And you may have to multiply by a lot more than 100,000 to get the full scope of the problem. It’s “fast-tracking”, i.e., doing the easiest work first, on a massive scale, leaving cases that involve even a little complexity unworked on for months and months. It’s maddening both for the claimants and the employees.
Social Security Transitions to Electronic Remittances - What You Need to Know
Date:
Dear Colleague,
We are writing to share important information about how individuals can repay money they owe to the Social Security Administration (SSA). In support of Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, we are expanding secure digital payment options to make repayment faster, safer, and more convenient.
We are updating our notices to include electronic repayment options for individuals and will no longer ask individuals to mail checks or credit card forms to repay their debts. Mailed payments can be lost, delayed, or intercepted, which may put personal and financial information at risk. By highlighting secure electronic payment methods, we aim to reduce delays and provide a safer, more reliable repayment experience.
Individuals can make secure online payments through Pay.gov using their Remittance ID. They may also use their bank or credit union’s online bill payment service by selecting “Social Security Administration” as the payee and entering their Remittance ID in the account number field.
Individuals who cannot use the online options can call the Debt Management Unit at 1-855-807-8807, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time.
The Social Security Administration has released its Caseload Analysis Report for its hearing functions. It shows a declining number of ALJs and an increasing backlog despite throwing a ton of overtime at the problem.
