This week, the Social Security Administration (SSA), announced progress this year to reduce the burden on customers by making the change from handwritten to digital signature requirements for more than 30 forms, as well as eliminating signature requirements for 13 forms altogether.
These actions simplify the application processes for individuals, including eliminating a possible reason for applications to be returned or rejected.
Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley said, “On the forms that people living in the U.S. use most often, we are eliminating as many difficulties as possible, from helping people sign at the click of a button, to reducing the need to visit a Social Security office or send something by mail, when possible. This means faster processing with fewer errors and better service for our customers, who deserve a government that meets their needs efficiently and effectively.”
Social Security will allow an electronic signature
As a result of this work, Social Security will now allow an electronic signature instead of a handwritten signature for more than 30 forms, which make up 90% of the forms most commonly used by Social Security clients in local offices.
In addition, this year Social Security has also completely eliminated the signature requirement for 13 of its most widely used forms, representing a total volume of approximately 1 million annual submissions.
This includes the elimination of the signature requirement for the Medical Source Opinion of Patient’s Capability to Manage Benefits form (Form SSA-787, Medical Source Opinion of Patient’s Capability to Manage Benefits, which has a total annual volume of 768,000), the Letter to Employer Requesting Wage Information form (Form SSA-L4201, Letter to Employer Requesting Wage Information, which has an annual volume of 133,000), and the Request for Reconsideration/Disability Cetion Right to Appear(Form SSA-789, Request for Reconsideration/Disability Cetion Right to Appear, which has an annual volume of 49,000).
Customers can also download many of the 13 forms online, which further reduces the burden on customers.
To build on this progress, Social Security is considering eliminating signature requirements on other forms, which would alleviate requirements for approximately 1 million additional transactions.
Social Security works to pay the right people, at the right time, the right amount. These efforts ensure that we maintain strong anti-fraud protections while eliminating cumbersome requirements that do not serve their intended purpose.
These efforts also complement other initiatives to modernize and streamline operations. The agency is expanding paperless communication options for the millions of Social Security users, so they can view their Social Security statement online, track the status of their claims, and calculate potential retirement benefits. Now, my Social Security offers 60 categories of notices for customers to easily access online, including Cost of Living Adjustment, Form SSA-1099, benefit increases, appointment confirmations and more.
New my Social Security account holders can choose one-click online-only communications, and we encourage others to make the transition for a better experience.
Social Security is doing this work by aligning with the Executive Order Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government [E.O. 14058]), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience [M-23-22], and OMB guidance Improving Access to Public Benefits Programs Through the Paperwork Reduction Act[M-22-10].