We’re Making It Easier To Do Business With Us Electronically
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: September 5, 2024
We’ve heard your preference to do business with us electronically. You want to submit forms, evidence, and other information online. If your signature is needed, you want to be able to sign documents electronically before submitting them.
We’ve released the eSignature/Upload Documents as an option to submit documents. This new, online service option allows our representatives to electronically request, and our customers to electronically submit, 50 forms and nearly 80 types of evidence. The information we ask you to provide is necessary to process applications and other transactions.
This option eliminates the need to mail, fax, or deliver information to a local Social Security office. By streamlining our document submission process and reducing mail, we are improving your experience.
How Does it Work?
- Our representatives send customers a link with the request for the forms and/or evidence we need to process their application.
- The customer authenticates by signing in to, or creating, their personal my Social Security account, reviews the request, completes the form, electronically signs (when signatures are required), and uploads the completed forms and/or any supporting evidence.
No more mailing or faxing certain evidence or forms, and fewer trips to the Social Security office… it’s that easy!
Note: Customers have 30 days to electronically submit requested information and may receive an email reminder. If the electronic request expires, you can contact our office to ask for a new request or submit the forms and information by mail, fax, or by visiting an office.
To learn more, visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
Online Forms and Signature Removal
In addition to the eSignature/Upload Documents option, we are converting many of our frequently used forms to more convenient online versions. Customers will have the option to complete a user-friendly, fillable online form, then electronically sign and submit it and some now don’t require a signature at all.
There are more than 30 forms available that can be signed electronically, which represents 90% of the most commonly used forms by Social Security customers in our local offices. One of our most used forms, the SSA-827, Authorization to Disclose Information to Social Security Administration, is now available to sign and submit electronically. Other frequently used forms available to sign and submit electronically include:
- SSA-820/821, Work Activity Reports.
- SSA-632, Request for a Waiver of Overpayment Recovery.
- SSA-634, Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate.
We have removed the signature requirement entirely for 12 of our most commonly used forms. Some of the forms include:
- SSA-L4201, Employer Requesting Wage Information
- SSA-789, Request for Reconsideration/Disability Cessation Right to Appear
You may also upload many of these forms online, further reducing your burden. We are considering removal of signature requirements on other forms as well.
What Do These Changes Mean for You?
- They help speed up processing, which means faster access to benefits and services.
- They expand service options for people with disabilities and people in rural communities by eliminating the need to physically visit an office.
- They reduce the risk of documents being lost in the mail.
- They better protect and safeguard personal information.
Check out this update from Commissioner O’Malley and view our press release to learn more.
Whether you do business with us online, by phone, or in person, we’re committed to making it easier for you. We continue to explore more opportunities to make doing business with us easier. Please share this information with others.
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Tags: General Information, online services
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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Joyce M.
“We’ve heard your preference….”. You certainly didn’t hear mine because I prefer to do things by mail. I’d rather take the very slim chance that something might get lost in the mail vs. a good chance of all my info getting hacked! And to make it work, you are going to remove signature requirements on some forms? Sure…let’s make it easier for the fraudsters, why not?
Marilyn A.
Excellent improvements. Thanks.
Ashok K.
SSA policy of Automatically Reevaluation of Eligible Social Security Amount every year for those who are drawing social security at Full Retirement Age (though not having 35 years of eligible service) but still employed and contributing to social security is not working efficiently. I am still to get the recalculation for the eligible increased amount for the year 2024 even though 8 months have passed after repeated calls to the local office to that effect.
David B.
Go in person. I always leave with the answer I want. It’s hard for them to ignore you if you’re sitting right in front of them.
Alex C.
Trouble getting online using login.gov
T.Y.
Hello, Alex. Thank you for reading our blog. If you need help with transitioning your account, please 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. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts, and ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. We hope this helps.
Sandra L.
When will those who live outside the USA and have no address in the US, be able to have an online account? I live in Australia and receive Survivor Benefits from my late husbands Social Security ( he was an American)Every year or two I receive a form to fill in that arrives via snail mail weeks after the date it was posted. I then have to return it via snail mail. This is a totally inefficient way of doing business in 2024.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Sandra. You can access your personal my Social Security account by registering and signing in with ID.me. If you don’t have an ID.me account, you can visit here and select “Sign in with ID.me” to get the process started. For step-by-step instructions, watch our 3-minute video. We also encourage you to check out our Office of Earnings and International Operations page for more information. We hope this information helps.
AboutCreativity
Our family enjoys taking the next step to work with SSA for a better service for all. Thank you!
Jennifer A.
Everybody doesn’t have access to a computer to do business with the Social Security Administration. Older Americans may make mistakes and due to the limited use of their hands. SSA has money to purchase this program, but requires recipients to pay for Medicare.
Linda N.
I wish you would post how to access an account after being locked out if you are living overseas. It has been at least two years. I’ve called the Virginia number and left numerous messages. Sent certified letters and no one responds.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Linda. We are sorry that you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account overseas. You can access your personal my Social Security account by registering and signing in with ID.me. If you don’t have an ID.me account, you can visit here and select “Sign in with ID.me” to get the process started. If you’re overseas and have a problem with your personal my Social Security account, please contact ID.me support. We hope this helps.
Paul B.
Great to see Social Security has arrived into the 21st century. This will make the whole process of interacting with S.S. so much easier and quicker for everyone!
Kevin
Will this help speed up a case that was denied, found to have had incorrect information like info from a pediatrician which speaks for itself. Then was appealed and has since been 10 months. Having been diagnosed and then confirmed with days of study with every possible related test from NIH my attorney tells me yesterday it hasn’t then been touched. So yeah is this helping with that or is that version 2.0?