Social Security Administration Announces New Efforts to Simplify SSI Applications
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 27, 2024
Today, the Social Security Administration announced a large step in a multi-year effort to simplify processes for people who are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) by starting to offer an online, streamlined application for some applicants starting in December. SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income and resources.
The initial step – known as iClaim expansion – aims to establish a fully online, simplified iClaim application that leverages user-tested, plain-language questions, prepopulated answers where possible, seamless step-by-step transitions, and more. The online application aims to reduce the time spent applying as well as the processing time for initial claim decisions.
“Over the past year, we have asked many applicants and advocates – as well as our workforce – how we could make the SSI application process easier and simpler. Now, we are taking an important first step to do just that,” said Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security.
“People in our communities who need this crucial safety net deserve the dignity of an application process that is less burdensome and more accessible than what we now have, and we’re committed to achieving that vision over the next few years.”
The rollout of the iClaim expansion will generally be available to first-time applicants between 18 and almost 65 who never married and are concurrently applying for Social Security benefits and SSI. A goal of the second phase – currently targeted for late 2025 – is to expand this to all applicants.
The Federal Register Notice that supports this effort was published today and reflects changes based on what Social Security previously received. To read it, please visit Federal Register: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request.
Subsequent SSI simplification steps will incorporate lessons learned from the iClaim expansion into in-person, phone, mobile, and paper-based processes for SSI applications. As part of that, the agency plans to develop a separate simplified child SSI application.
All of these efforts will support and streamline the way Social Security’s staff technicians and applicants work together, providing an applicant journey that reflects continuous feedback gathered from the agency’s Customer Experience team, particularly from underserved communities.
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Tags: online services, SSI, supplemental security income
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Phillip S.
When will we be able to change our direct deposit information online and it not take 2-3 months. It’s not a big burden to contact my local office but it would be nice.
Daniel
My wife is retired and receiving ss. I am not retired nor receiving ss yet. What form do I need so she can receive all or part of my ss I am 69 she is 75
S.S.
Hi, Daniel. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Your wife can apply for spouse’s benefits once you apply for your Social Security. If she is at least full retirement age when she starts getting spouse’s benefits, the amount should be 50% of your full retirement age benefit. For more information, visit our Benefits for Spouses page. We hope this helps.
Kate
Making the SSI application available online is a big win for accessibility. This will especially benefit those who may have difficulty with in-person or paper-based applications
Sarah
Any chance we could get a post on the Amazon Vine program and how it can impact benefits? I know it can cause problems with SSI, but what about people who are solely on SSDI? It would be extremely helpful to have an official, written SSA stance. The program issues 1099-NEC forms (non-employee compensation) reporting the value of items a person in the program received (for free) to review. Tax officials vary in how they handle it, but some treat it as self-employment and others as hobby income. The Amazon Vine terms call these items “promotional”, so it’s a little weird they’re filling out tax forms that say it’s compensation.
I tried emails and got responses like an AI looked for buzzwords with no real understanding of what was asked. I’ve tried calling and was told that the person “didn’t think” it mattered to SSDI, but “didn’t think” isn’t a guarantee. I’ve tried digging through policy and found “§ 404.1575. Evaluation guides if you are self-employed.” But, I’m not sure this even counts as self-employment. I didn’t apply to participate in the program – Amazon just randomly invited me because of reviews I’ve left, like every customer can do. There’s no contract negotiation or anything like it. And, for the items received, we have to actually try the product AND must wait six months before we can sell if we choose to do that. That means that any item sold is sold “used” and worth less (if any worth at all) than the value reported on the 1099-NEC.
Some people report the 1099-NEC as self-employment income, others as hobby income. Others have contacted the IRS about how to file taxes and claim they were told by the IRS that the 1099-NEC is not how Amazon should be handling things given program details.
I’d be happy to provide further details on the program if someone emails me. It’s very frustrating when you’re trying your best to make sure you aren’t breaking any rules but can’t get a clear answer anywhere. I’m not the only person very worried that operating off of a random SSA employee’s assumption that it’s fine will lead to fraud accusations down the road. It shouldn’t be this hard to get a firm answer.
Rajesh k.
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Rajesh k.
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Quacy M.
social security administration or social security office at address 1871 Rockaway Pkwy, Brooklyn, New York city 11236 in canarsie took control of social security website support contact us and then email and they send me automate stuff with no work done or water damage emails
Angela G.
The assets limit rule for SSI needs to be increased. It was set in 1962 when SSI was created to $2,000 and this is a hardship to those on SSI. Those on SSI who work are only allowed to earn $65 a week and that needs to be raised too. That was also set decades ago and is not practical or realistic. A person on SSI who only gets $1,200 a month (combined SSA +SSI) cannot live on that unless they are in subsidized housing and there is not enough subsidized housing for all those who need it. So serious reforms need to be done to raise the limits of what people can earn and what people can save who are on SSI.
TJ
I have tried multiple times to get on the ss.gov site i made an id.me account now every time I sign with the id.me account it takes me right back to the sign in page. I tried a different way to sign in to ss.gov site and I tried the id.me sign in and it told me to make a login.gov account so I did and it took me right back to the sign in page. I am frustrated with this new way to sign in and i have yet to get back on my social security page! What is going on
S.S.
Hello, TJ. Thank you for reading our blog. If you need help with transitioning your account, you can contact Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts, and ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. Call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
Susie
Question: If you are going to receive insurance claim benefit from your parent passing away, does social security receive this or part of this?
I’m only receiving retirement benefits from ssa