… On Saturday, July 25, 2026, Upload Documents will launch the first batch of forms utilizing a new conversational approach. With this method, form items will be presented as questions to the customer in a more easily understood, conversational style. Similar to previously introduced dynamic webforms, conversational forms will not necessarily ask questions in a linear sequence that mirrors the paper form. Instead, customer responses will determine which additional questions appear. All questions are pre-developed and presented in standardized language. As with dynamic forms, certain information fields will be required, and customers will not be able to submit forms unless all required fields are completed.
IMPORTANT: Although form questions will be presented in a new conversational manner, the resulting PDF generated after submission will be identical to the paper and fillable PDF versions of the form. Customers will be presented with a preview of the final PDF prior to submission to see how their responses to conversational form questions are reflected on the form, and to observe how form items corresponded to the conversational webform questions on screen. Customers will have the opportunity to edit any responses prior to submission. …
From Howard Gleckman writing for Forbes about Congressional ideas for commissions to come up with plans to address Social Security’s long term funding problems:
… [T]he reality is, these sorts of bipartisan commissions only work when a president throws his full weight behind them and Congress really wants to fix a problem, rather than find an excuse to continue to do nothing. …
Nobody needs a panel of experts to develop ideas. We’ve known for decades how to fix the system. Congress instead needs to find the political will to act. …
The history of past commissions is clear, and depressing. My bookcase is filled with high-minded proposals made by expert panels, mostly to address budget deficits. Many included excellent suggestions. None went anywhere. …
Who thinks there’s any will in Congress to actually do something about this now or any time soon? Without that any commission plan is bound to fail.
I understand that Social Security has indefinitely suspended advanced leave. This is advanced leave, not advance leave. It’s leave granted in excess of what has already been earned that is to be made up later. Let’s say you have worked at the agency for a few years and are injured in a car wreck. You need to be out of work longer than the amount of sick and annual leave you’ve earned so far. I guess you now have to go on leave without pay rather than being advanced some leave to help you over a rough stretch. This directive doesn’t put some limit on advanced leave. It just summarily ends it. Of course, there was no negotiation with the employee unions over this. I’m sure they’ll sue.
From a press release from the House Ways and Means Committee:
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) delivered the following statement during debate in the U.S. House of Representatives on the Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884):
As prepared for delivery.
“I rise in support of H.R. 8884, the Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act, introduced by our colleague from Georgia Representative Austin Scott.
“Many Americans that are living with disabilities want to enter the workforce and seek gainful employment. In fact, an estimated 60 percent of Americans who receive benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program have stated a desire to return to work. And yet, less than 1 percent leave the DI program each year for a job. That is a gigantic gap between the number of disabled Americans who want to work and the number who successfully return to work.
“The Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act seeks to shrink that gap by simply restoring the Social Security Administration’s authority to test drive solutions that can empower more of our fellow Americans to get back to work. Up until 2022, the SSA had such authority to run demonstration projects on improving work outcomes. With that authority expired and with so many disabled Americans still unable to successfully navigate the current program, we have to find a better way forward.
Sure, they want to return to work. They never wanted to be disabled to begin with. They have hazy ideas in their minds about getting better. The truth is that very, very few of them get better. The 12 month duration requirement to get disability benefits weeds out almost all of those who were going to get better. If you haven’t gotten better after 12 months, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever get better. You’ll probably get worse over time.
Social Security ran return to work demonstration projects for decades. They were all dismal failures. It’s a waste of money. It’s chasing a mirage,
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced the successful implementation of a new government-wide payment verification process that helps stop federal payments from being sent to deceased individuals …
Since President Trump issued Executive Order 14249, Protecting America's Bank Account Against Fraud, Waste, and Abuse, on March 25, 2025, Treasury has significantly expanded government-wide efforts to detect and prevent fraud and improper payments through the Do Not Pay program and new payment verification tools.
To date, Treasury has screened over 885 million payments totaling approximately $2.77 trillion as part of the new payment verification process. The screening has identified more than 4,900 payments worth approximately $99 million that were associated with deceased payees. …
Remember that claim from the Commissioner of Social Security that $100 million had been saved by identifying deceased payees, a claim that mystified us? I think we now know what he was talking about. That $99 million in alleged savings was throughout the federal government. Probably little of it was at Social Security. It’s not clear where it could have been saved since Social Security’s Death Master File has been used for many years throughout government to prevent improper payments. Perhaps the $99 million was nothing more than the sort of thing that was already being detected and prevented. It was certainly nothing that Bisignano should have been claiming credit for. Note that he only claimed credit for this on the Bannon podcast. Not much fact checking there.
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.
The New York Times has a new piece out about service at Social Security. There’s nothing much new in it. The sad thing is that they’ve been bamboozled into believing service is improving at the agency.
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill on Tuesday designed to shore up Social Security's finances in the coming decades and prevent future benefit cuts for the 70 million Americans who rely on the program. …
The legislation, called the Promise Act, would not itself raise taxes, reduce benefits or change eligibility. Instead, it would direct the bipartisan, seven-member Social Security Advisory Board to draft a bill, informed by public input, to keep the program's trust funds solvent for at least the next 50 years. …
Any proposal developed by the advisory board would be introduced in the House and Senate by congressional leaders before being considered by committees, which could hold hearings and revise the legislation. To become law, it would need a three-fifths vote in the Senate and a majority vote in the House.
The Promise Act's additional sponsors include Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana; Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia; Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina; and Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine. …
This is ridiculous. No panel of experts will come up with a bill that will draw widespread support. There’s no clever way of solving the problem that will hurt no one. You either raise taxes, which no Republican will support, cut benefits which no Democrat or Republican will support or you pay benefits out of general revenues, which no one will support as a long term solution but may have to accept. This bill is nothing more than pretending you’re doing something when you’re doing nothing.
Morale at the Social Security Administration — which is at a 59-year staffing low due to the Trump administration’s sweeping workforce cuts — is poor.
To fix it, SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano has twice sent staff packages of chocolate-covered pretzels. They’re from his daughter’s company, Pretzables, emblazoned with Pretzable’s branding, website and phone number, as well as a line thanking employees for their work.
The pretzels, staff tell NOTUS, have not addressed the underlying morale issue. (“It’s tone-deaf,” one SSA field office employee said.) They have, however, raised even more questions around Bisignano’s leadership — specifically around the ethics of sending staff pretzels from his daughter’s company.
It’s hard to imagine anyone thinking it would be OK for the government to pay for these pretzels but this is the Trump Administration and anything goes so I’d like to hear the question answered.
A Leavenworth man suspected of making threats against the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office in Wenatchee was arrested Thursday.
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) said the investigation began when a California-based SSA office told a CCSO deputy it received a threatening call from a man angry about a missing Social Security check.
The caller threatened to ram his vehicle into the Wenatchee office. …
The Netherlands is having trouble financing its social security systems. Cuts in benefits are being discussed. According to the NL Times, one solution being discussed is a wealth tax. Wealthy people might be taxed not just on their income but on their wealth as well.
A possible wealth tax is on the periphery of public discussion in the U.S. Only people like Senator Bernie Sanders talk much about the idea and then not in the context of Social Security. However, if the choice is between massive Social Security benefits cuts, removing the FICA cap or a wealth tax, what do the American people want? Remember, there’s no clever way of doing this. Your choices are limited to cutting benefits and/or raising taxes. Is getting more tax money out of the ultra wealthy, such as Elon Musk, such a bad idea?
From an op ed by Lyman Stone in the New York Times:
… If America’s population does decline, it will strain our entitlements system, damage the economy, reduce innovation and entrepreneurship, and cause serious labor shortages. But the majority point of view — held by major institutions like the Census Bureau, the United Nations and the Social Security trustees — is that the United States probably won’t face population decline until the 2080s, or even beyond 2100.
That forecast is far too optimistic. The more accurate projection, which I outlined in arecent report for my organization, the Institute for Family Studies, sees the American population beginning to shrink in the 2050s. It is a forecast so grim it could upend American budgeting and, thus, American politics.
Start with the number that drives everything else. The American fertility rate has fallen below 1.6 children per woman, a record low. Replacement rate, the level that merely holds a population steady before immigration, is about 2.1. If the current trend in shrinking births continues, it’s likely that the U.S. population will largely stop growing in the 2030s, and begin to decline in the 2050s. Peak America may come before millennials meet their grandkids (if they have any. …
If birthrates continue to decline as they have been doing, then fertility will fall to 1.35 children per woman in 2050, and 1.15 by 2100. In that scenario, population growth will be anemic in the 2020s and 2030s, fall to essentially zero in the 2040s, and then, starting in the mid-2050s, experience a long, grinding decline. Each generation will be more than 30 percent smaller than the one before, the work force will shrink beneath the retirees it has to support, and the American century will give way to American contraction. …
Up until quite recently, the Social Security trustees’ main scenario assumed that fertility rates will rise from now until 2050, and stabilize at 1.9 children per woman. In 2023, the Census Bureau predicted that fertility rates will only gradually decline from 1.64 to 1.58 by 2075. Spoiler: Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already shown a 1.57 fertility rate for 2025. The U.N. expects that the U.S. fertility rate will be flat at about 1.65 through the entire 21st century. To its credit, Social Security trustees released new numbers just last month that revised their expectations down to 1.75 in 2050, but that is overly optimistic. The Congressional Budget Office is more realistic, but even it predicts that fertility will decline to 1.53, then stabilize. …
The writer is working for a pro-natalist project but that doesn’t mean he’s wrong. In fact, even if his projections are a bit pessimistic, he’s still talking about a serious problem. Pro-natalism is nearly hopeless, I think. We have little way as a society of influencing these highly personal decisions. Of course, pro-natalism usually has racist undertones, if not overtones, as well, but that’s a separate issue.
We need to accept that trying to hold down immigration to almost nothing is insane. We need more legal immigrants and we need to quit worrying so much about undocumented immigrants. Social Security needs these immigrants and so does the country. Those who oppose immigration invite long term catastrophe. At least we can attract all the immigrants we need, despite the hostility that most Republicans express towards black, brown, Asian and Muslim immigrants. Make use of our country’s attractiveness to immigrants. They and their children make great citizens
A message from Social Security to attorneys and others who represent claimants (the crap at the end is some weird formatting from the original that doesn’t go away no matter what I do):
Recent Enhancements in Processing Centers: Advancing Service and Efficiency
Date:
Dear Colleague,
We are pleased to announce some important developments from Central Processing that further our commitment to efficient, responsive service for claimants and the representative community. These changes reflect ongoing efforts to optimize operations, strengthen communication, and deliver timely, policy-compliant outcomes.
A Good News Highlights:
Centralized Oversight and Organizational Realignment:This fiscal year, oversight of all eight processing centers (PCs), including Disability Operations and International Processing, has been unified under a new chief-level organization, Central Processing (CP). CP now also manages Earnings, Workload Support Units, and Field Office Support Units, which provide essential backend support to field offices and the National 800 Number. This realignment merges similar workload responsibilities, streamlines decision-making, and enhances customer service across the agency.
Expanded Representative Call Center (RCC) Services:Building on prior enhancements, the RCC now serves as a single point of contact for representatives with cases pending in any PC. Representatives can call the RCC at 877-626-6363, and calls are automatically routed to the appropriate PC based on claimant information. Technicians are available to assist with a range of inquiries, including pending cases and attorney fee payments.
The RCC contact information is available on the following pages:
We encourage your clients to create amySocial Securityaccount, which enables them to manage their benefits and access a wide range of essential services online.
Please share this information with your members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties. We appreciate your partnership and continued collaboration as we work together to enhance service delivery within our PCs.
