The Social Security Administration is listening, and our advocates’ and community partners’ feedback is important to us. Some of the feedback that we are hearing from you includes:
- “Nobody has fax machines anymore.”
- “There’s a reason it’s called snail mail. Regular mail takes too long.”
- “I shouldn’t have to drive to an office and pay for parking to turn in paperwork that I should be able to email or submit online.”
- “There has to be a better way!”
SSA is transforming the way it conducts business. Employees can now ask customers to electronically submit some forms, documents and evidence needed to process disability applications and other transactions. That means faster and more efficient service to Veterans and their families.
For years, Social Security has offered convenient online services at www.SSA.gov. Many people prefer to conduct business with SSA from the comfort of their computer or mobile device. In response to this demand, Social Security is expanding its electronic options.
SSA recently released the eSignature/Upload Documents initiative nationwide. This end-to-end secure service allows customers to electronically submit some frequently used forms, such as appeal requests (SSA-501 and SSA-561) and waiver of overpayment recovery (SSA-632). Customers can also submit evidence, including the VA Disability Rating Verification, medical and school records, bank statements, tax forms and many more.
Social Security employees initiate the request by sending an email to customers with the required form. In turn, customers review the request, electronically complete, then sign the form (if a signature is required) and submit directly to SSA.
SSA receives 35 million pieces of mail each year, and approximately 14 million are forms sent back because it requires a signature. With this new application, employees can request that 50 different forms and nearly 80 different types of evidence be electronically submitted. These would otherwise have to be mailed, faxed or dropped off at a local office.
eSignature/Upload Documents has many advantages
- Eliminates the cost and inconvenience of “snail mail” and in-person visits to submit requested information.
- Minimizes the risk that sensitive documents and personal information will be lost or misplaced.
- Securely transmits files for faster, more efficient processing.
- Offers flexibility in how customers conduct their business.
SSA will continue to accept forms, documents and evidence that are faxed, mailed or dropped off at an office. However, it would like for its customers to enjoy more options with the new electronic online services.
How eSignature/Upload Documents Works
Step 1: The employee asks the customer to allow consent for Social Security to send an email that contains an access link and instructions for using Upload Documents.
Step 2: With customer consent, Social Security emails the customer the request for forms, documents and other evidence needed to process their pending claim or action.
Step 3: The customer reviews the electronic request, completes requested forms, electronically signs them (when a signature is required), and uploads the forms and other information.
Step 4: Social Security sends a follow-up email 10 days after the initial request, if form or evidence is not received. The customer has 30 days to electronically submit requested information.
Step 5: The requesting employee receives an alert when a customer submits the request, then the employee completes the remaining necessary actions.
For more information about Upload Documents, review Social Security’s Frequently Asked Questions.
Future Enhancements
In addition to the eSignature/Upload Documents initiative, SSA is converting many of its frequently used forms to convenient, fillable electronic versions. In April 2024, for example, it “webified” the SSA-827 (Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration). This is the medical release that is mandatory for all disability applications. The electronic SSA-827 mirrors the paper version without the need for a wet signature or verbal signature over the phone.
SSA employees can email a link with the electronic SSA-827 to customers who can choose to complete, electronically sign and submit the form rather than having to print, sign and mail or hand deliver it to a local office. That means faster disability processing times and fewer claims denied because of a missing medical release.
Social Security continues to make changes and improvements to provide faster and more efficient service to our customers, including Veterans and their families.
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It’s about time! They should have done this long ago. A lot appointments would not be necessary if SSA would establish the sufficient technology.
They should also let evidence of tax forms to be sent in to correct their mistakes. Get it together SSA!!
This is Difficult. You All have Everything “EXCEPT” The ONLINE FORM, itself. (SSA-827)
It would be fantastic if they would include the annual “Hey I’m alive” form with this program. So many of us reside overseas and it is a MAJOR inconvenience to return this form. That is, of course, assuming it ever arrives via foreign mail. Even the SS employee at the American Embassy says it must go back to the USA, not mailed to the embassy. Ridiculous.
Concur wholeheartedly with Mr Newton regarding the “Hey I’m alive” form. I received my form on 16 July 2024 which was dated 6 June 2024. With the 60 expiration, even a miracle would not meet the turnaround time. This form should be added to the eSignature/Upload Documents initiative and save those of us living abroad (I’m in Rome, Italy) the MAJOR inconvenience that currently exists.
Well social security disability is still a nightmare. I am 100% disabled through the VA just got it it 2023 now in 2024 social security stopped my ssdi payments after 6 months of sending me paperwork to fill out which I filled out and sent back but they never requested my medical records only sent me a letter saying they didn’t get anything proving that I was still disabled. I jumped through all the hoops took me 3 years when I first applied. Then I finally get my VA at 90% but increased to 100% because of unemployability just to have my ssdi stopped. That really makes absolutely no sense. I had to get a lawyer to finally get it raised from 90 % to 100 % based on unemployability.
I don’t see how they are getting better.
I can’t work and now I can’t get the pain medication that helps me make it day to day. VA doesn’t give pain medication even though I was injured in the army the start with.
It’s ridiculous that government agencies don’t talk to each other so that we veterans don’t have to deal with crap like this. My lawyer told me it could take up to 15 months to get my benefits back.
This all happened because ss go a big budget to audit people and I know I’m not the only one the cut off without a good reason.
The reason was they didn’t do their job a request my info from my Dr’s. Had they done that they would have seen I am way worse now than when I initially went on disability.
How about simply being able to submit the form to withhold taxes voluntarily. It is ridiculous how you have to do it now.
Agreed!! It is ridiculous that it’s taken this long.
Disability as a Veteran would SSA be aware?
It’s wrong for the VA, not to bill SS, and a veteran not receive the co-pay benefits he pays every year to SS that would reduce the costs for the vetrain using the VA services he deserves, and continues to pay out thousands of dollars to SS resulting in no benefit to the Vet, because their excuse is they are both government agencies and it was decided they would not bill each other, but bill the Vet.
This is good, great, and wonderful in theory that Soc. Sec. has made it possible to submit forms they require electronically in an effort to expedite claims however… Getting the forms they request back to them quicker… Is BY NO MEANS a guarantee of them expediting ANYTHING…!! I’m living it right now as they sent me a required 1 page Continuing Disability Review form which I filled out including typing up some “additional comments” & attached the comments (further info) along with updated documentation from my doctors verifying my comments to the Disability Review Form. I returned via “snail mail” with “return receipt” so I know for fact they did receive in the allotted amount of time. This is the second time Soc. Sec. has required me to complete a Continuing Disability Review 1 page form… The last time being about 3 years ago and I was informed my Disability status was continuing due to no medical improvement within about one month from time I returned paperwork. I was originally determined to be 100% disabled by Soc. Sec. 8 years ago & have been on Disability (SSDI) since then.°° A couple of my conditions severely worsened last year to point of having to have emergency life-saving surgery and had a period of inpatient hospitalization. This info WAS explained in detail in my “additional comments” attached to form as stated above. Bottom line… This info was returned back to Soc. Sec. for their review prior to the “return by” date. That was 5 months ago and still NOT ONE WORD back from Soc. Sec. on the continuation of my Disability status! When I called to inquire about the delay and ask why the delay on the determination of my Disability status continuing I was told: “It’s being reviewed and there are staffing shortages.” I find it difficult to believe that a review… For which I furnished medical documents that attest to fact my conditions severely worsened in the last year… Has taken OVER five times longer to “review” than the last Disability Review I completed & returned during the COVID-19 lockdown where they were all working remotely! And Soc. Sec. is no longer under lockdown or working remotely yet their claim for this delay is “staffing shortages”… Seriously…?!? It stands to reason & in applying logic in this case of their “staffing shortages” claim… When comparing the amount of time the review took 3 years ago compared to how long the current review of the same form is taking that would mean they (Soc. Sec.) have LOST 80% of their staff in last 3 years…!! That sounds unrealistic to me and I’m thinking had they indeed lost 80% of their staff… It would have been reported by the media at some level…!!
So… The point is… They may have made it possible to submit docs electronically however… It’s taking well over FIVE TIMES longer to process any documents because, as stated, if there is truth in their “staffing shortages” claim coupled with length of processing time… Soc. Sec. has LOST 80% of their staff meaning there is only 1 person processing the same amount or more documents in an area where, 3 years ago, there were 5 people working on document processing…!! Submitting docs electronically… Great…!! An expedited determination…?? NOT EVEN CLOSE…!! QUITE THE OPPOSITE ACTUALLY…!! EXPECT PROCESSING TO TAKE OVER FIVE TIMES LONGER…!! I’M THE LIVING PROOF OF THAT FACT…!!
So… They can claim that electronic document submission will help expedite processing and I can claim to be “Lady Di, Princess of Wales” however… NEITHER ONE of these claims are true…!!
” °° ” – Footnote: SSDI – “Social Security Disability Income” NOT to be confused with SSI – “Supplemental Social Income”…!! SSDI – Is NOT an “entitlement”… It’s the money I paid into Soc. Sec. out of every paycheck I received for over 40 years! It shows as: “FICA” on one’s pay stub! SSI – IS an entitlement and is a fixed, very minimal amount, and is for those who paid very, very little or nothing into Soc. Sec. due to fact that the recipient has never worked or only worked a very minimal amount of time over the course of several years. I HATE it when people refer to “SSDI” as an “entitlement”…!! It’s NOT…!! It’s MY money which I worked for & earned…!!
I recently applied for benefits and I was surprised about how quickly I received approval and I was surprised also about how quickly received my back pay.
Additionally, it was a pleasure dealing with my coordinator in New Mexico – Joel Garcia.
Sheri W, I can empathize with your perception that things are not as efficient as you would expect. The articles stated the updates would equate to “faster and more efficient service to Veterans and their families,” but “faster” doesn’t necessarily mean that the processing of the documentation will be accomplished faster. What I get is that it will be cheaper and easier for individuals to get their documents to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
For example, if 3 years ago during the pandemic, you submitted initial documentation to be determined disabled to receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and there are in theory 5 processors for 100 individual medical records, but in the reassessment stage there is 1 processor for every 500 individual medical records. It would go to say that the persons getting their medical records initially reviewed would be processed faster.
Now if there is a shortage in SSA processors, where 4 processors are now processing 125 initial individual medical records, but in the reassessment stage there is 1 processor for every 750 individual medical records, then we can see the lag time in processing is going to decline regardless of the fact that it is no less cumbersome for individuals to pay money to fax of forms and records or mail things via snail mail.
I do not work for SSA. I am a veteran who went through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) which is a joint DoD and VA disability evaluation process and was declared 100% in 2019. I submitted my application for SSDI of my results immediately and was approved if I remember correctly within 30 days! My Recovery Care Coordinator (RCC) in the Wounded Warrior Program from active duty helped guide me. This was not the RCC’s job, she did it as a help to me as a then active duty member about to do my terminal leave to get out of active duty military. SSDI did not kick in until 6 months after my date of determined disability. I am in the 7-year bracket to be re-evaluated, where you are currently at in another 1-2 years from now.
Maybe things will go as smoothly as it did the first time. Time will tell. I am learning to be more positive in life even though I have experienced a lot of negative things. Overall, I would not change anything as each negative thing has led to who I am today.
Regarding SSDI and VA disability, I am getting paid more now with both which are tax-free than when I was working. If SSA decides to take their SSDI away, I will be okay. I don’t think most of the people receiving SSDI want to collect a few bucks over what they are suffering to receive this income, whether they put in 5 years or 40 years.
My hope for you is that things will work out better for you at a future date. Just giving a different perspective to look at since you implied they are lying about “staffing.” I worked in the military medical field, and I know I worked very hard with always being UNDERMANNED/UNDERSTAFFED for over 15 years of federal government work. SSA is also the federal government, I can’t imagine they are any better staffed than the U.S. military. I am sure while you were on active duty if you ever were on active duty, you experienced this very shortage and would reflect and hopefully be kinder to the customer service representatives of SSA when you call them. I need to also recall this very thing and be kinder as well.
All the best to you.