Justification for the Non-Substantive Changes to 0960-0618 (IT Mod)

Justification for Non-Substantive Changes for

Social Security Benefits Applications:

Form SSA-1: Application for Retirement Insurance Benefits

Form SSA-2: Application for Wife’s or Husband’s Insurance Benefits

Form SSA-16: Application for Disability Insurance Benefits

Internet Claim (iClaim) Application Screens

Internet Appointment (iAppointment) Application Screens

20 CFR 404.310-404.311, 404.315-404.322, 404.330-404.333, 404.601-404.603, and 404.1501-404.1512

OMB No. 0960-0618

Background:

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides Retirement, Survivors, and Disability benefits to members of the public who meet the required eligibility criteria, and who file the correct application (as per Sections 202(b)-(c) and 223 (a) of the Social Security Act (Act) and Sections 20 CFR 404.310-404.311, 404.315-404.322, 404.330-404.333, 404.601-404.603, and 404.1501-404.1512 of the Code of Federal Regulations). The public can apply for the appropriate benefit type using one of three modalities: 1) filling out a paper application; 2) a field office or telephone interview, or 3) completing the Internet Claims (iClaim) application which members of the public use to apply electronically. Third-parties can also use any of these modalities to apply for an individual who meets the required eligibility criteria and needs assistance filing an application. When a third-party submits an application using any of these modalities, a technician contacts the individual to complete the application process through mail, an in‑office interview, or telephone interview.

SSA also administers the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Members of the public can file an application for SSI payments (as per Section 1631(e)(1) of the Act and 20 CFR 416.305-416.335) using the SSI application, OMB Control No. 0960-0229. Applicants can also notify us of their intent to file for SSI payments when they file an application for Retirement, Survivors, or Disability benefits. When a person applies for SSI at one of our offices or over the telephone, SSA technicians explain the filing requirements and obtain all necessary information from the applicant to complete an SSI application. SSA technicians contact Individuals who file a paper application for SSI to complete the application process through an in-office or telephone interview.

Applicants using the iClaim application can file a limited SSI application if they meet certain criteria for filing the application online. If the individual indicates an intent to file for SSI but does not meet the requirements to file online with the disability application, we present the “Additional Information” screen with the protective filing closeout language. The screen also includes information about filing an SSI application within the protective filing closeout period of 60 days.

We are updating the language on the “Additional Information” screen to clarify that an SSA technician will contact the applicant by telephone to take their SSI application. We are making this minor IT modification due to the court decision from National Federation of the Blind, et al., v. Saul. We believe the revised language will help respondents understand the next step for their SSI claim once they drop out of the iClaim process.

Because we are updating the language on our “Additional Information” screen based on the requirements from National Federation of the Blind, et al., v. Saul. To adhere to the court decision, we would like to implement this minor revision in March 20, 2021 to ensure we are in compliance.

Revision to the iClaim screen for SSI protective filing

• Change #1: We are updating the “Additional Information” screen to indicate that a SSA technician will contact the applicant by telephone to take their SSI application. We are also advising the applicant that we will send a letter to contact SSA if we are unable to contact him or her via telephone.

• Justification #1: We are updating the screen to ensure that applicants clearly understand the steps necessary to complete their applications. We notified the court in National Federation of the Blind, et al., v. Saul, that we would make appropriate clarifications, which is why we are making this change.

SSA will implement the above IT modification change to the language on our iClaim screen as soon as OMB approves it. We are asking for a quick approval for this request both to remain in compliance with the court order, and to ensure we can submit our renewal for OMB’s approval of this information collection on time prior to the current expiration date of 4/30/21.