SSA supplies a designated telephone number allowing Social Security applicants, beneficiaries, recipients, and representative payees who are blind or visually-impaired to tell SSA which of the following seven methods of communication they want SSA to use when it sends them benefit notices and other related communications: (1) standard print notice by first class mail, (2) standard print mail with a follow-up telephone call, (3) certified mail, (4) Braille, (5) Microsoft Word file on data compact disk (CD), (6) large print (18-point font) or (7) audio CD. However, respondents who want to receive notices from SSA through a communication method other than the seven methods listed above use Form SSA-9000 to: (1) describe the type of accommodation they want, (2) disclose their condition necessitating the need for a different type of accommodation, and (3) explain why none of the seven methods described above are sufficient for their needs. SSA uses Form SSA-9000 to determine, based on applicable law and regulation, whether to grant an individual's request for an accommodation based on their blindness, other visual impairment, and as applicable, another disabling condition. SSA collects this information electronically through either an in-person interview or a telephone interview during which the SSA employee keys in the information on Intranet screens. The respondents are Social Security applicants, beneficiaries, recipients, and representative payees who are blind or visually impaired and who ask SSA to send notices and other communications in an alternative method besides the seven modalities we described above.
US Code:
29 USC 794
Name of Law: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
When we last cleared this information collection in 2022, the burden was 4,472 hours. However, we are currently reporting a burden of 6,884 hours. This change stems from an increase in the number of responses for the mySNO Internet screens, which has gradually increased in usage over the past three years. While we are seeing an increase in the mySNO usage, which includes a significant overall decrease in the usage for iAccommodate, we also believe the increase is from a few new users for the mySNO application. There is no change to the burden time per response. Although the number of responses changed, SSA did not take any actions to cause this change. These figures represent current Management Information data.
*Note: The total burden reflected in ROCIS is 13,779, while the burden cited in #12 of the Supporting Statement is 6,884. This discrepancy is because the ROCIS burden reflects the following components: telephone call system answer times + learning costs. In contrast, the chart in #12 above reflects actual burden.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form SSA-9000-F6 Request for Accommodation in Communication Method
Supporting Statement - 0777 (Final).docx
Request for Accommodation in Communication Method - mySNO