Social Security Update (Subscribe)

Appointed Representative Services (ARS) Enhancements

We’re excited to announce that appointed representatives can now go online to get the status of disability cases pending at the Disability Determination Services (DDS). Recent improvements to our Appointed Representative Services (ARS) at www.ssa.gov/ar will save you time and reduce the need to contact our offices for information.

ARS gives appointed representatives access to the electronic folder (eFolder) for clients with initial disability claims and appeals. Until recently, you could only get status reports for appeals at the hearings level and the Appeals Council. We updated the system in January 2024 to also allow you to access a list of your initial claims and reconsiderations.

With our most recent systems enhancement in June, you’re now also able to get a status report for initial claims and reconsiderations pending at DDS or closed within the last 65 days. You’re able to see information for each case, including case level, receipt date, date assigned, claim type, and status.

Please watch this brief video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig11Rav91_s to learn more or read the AR Status Reports User Guide at www.ssa.gov/ar/docs/AR_Status_Reports_UserGuide-508.pdf (instructions are on pages 14 and 15).

We’ve heard positive feedback about ARS changes. With your help, we’ll continue to identify ways to improve the customer experience for you and your clients.

Social Security’s Signature Service Options

In the digital age, your clients expect to complete transactions electronically, including submission of documents, evidence, and forms with and without signatures. We are expanding our online services to provide a secure portal that enables your clients to sign forms electronically. Our offices receive roughly 35 million pieces of paper mail each year. If your clients add signatures electronically, we can process documentation quicker and save them a call or visit to a local office. Electronic signatures also reduce the risk of documents being lost in the mail.

There are many forms available to your clients that can be signed electronically. One of our most used forms, SSA-827, (Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration), is now available to sign and submit electronically. Other frequently used forms available for your clients 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 will add more in the coming months.

In addition to expanding the number of forms and evidence types available using eSignature/Upload Documents, we have been hard at work to remove the need for signatures from certain forms. This is an important initiative as approximately 14 million forms, requiring signatures, are sent to us each year.

How will removal of the signature requirement help your clients?

• It will help expedite claim processing, which means faster access to benefits and services.
• It will improve service options for rural communities, people with disabilities, and those facing barriers to accessing our services by removing the need to visit an office.
• It will better protect your clients’ personal information.
• It will provide your clients with more options for doing business with us.

Please share this information with your clients.

Social Security Serves the Hispanic Community

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! For nearly 90 years, Social Security’s programs and services have been vital to many of your clients, including those in the Hispanic community. Our Spanish-language website, at www.ssa.gov/espanol, provides information for people whose primary language is Spanish. They can learn – in their preferred language – how to get a new or replacement Social Security card, plan for retirement, apply for benefits, manage their benefits, and much more.

We also provide many publications in Spanish at www.ssa.gov/espanol/publicaciones. Popular topics include:

• Retirement, Disability, and Survivors benefits.
• Medicare.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• Social Security cards.
• Fraud and scams.
• Appeals.
• Benefits for children.
• Payments outside the U.S.

Your clients who prefer to conduct business in Spanish can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. For service in Spanish, they should press 7 and wait for a Spanish-speaking representative. If we cannot complete their business by phone, we will make an appointment for them at a local Social Security office and arrange for an interpreter to be there at the time of their visit.

For more information on how we support the Hispanic community, encourage your clients to visit our Social Security and Hispanics webpage at www.ssa.gov/people/hispanics.

Learn 4 Ways to Help Prevent Elder Abuse

In the United States, an estimated 1 in 10 adults over the age of 60 experience some form of abuse each year. Nearly 80% of Social Security beneficiaries are 65 and older, and we want to help protect them.

You and your clients can help prevent elder abuse by:

1. Recognizing abuse. Abuse can be physical and emotional, as well as financial. Abuse can include neglect and abandonment. You can find more information at www.worldelderabuseawareness.com/elder-abuse.
2. Preventing isolation. People who are isolated are more likely to be abused. You and your clients should check in with older loved ones regularly and ask if they’re getting the care they need.
3. Providing information. Make your clients aware of resources like community centers, law enforcement agencies, and advocacy organizations that they can turn to if they need help.
4. Being a friend. Encourage your clients to visit an older person in their community and be a lifeline, if needed.

For more information on elder abuse prevention, visit www.ncea.acl.gov or call 855-500-3537 (ELDR). Additional resources can be found at www.ssa.gov/payee/elder_abuse.htm.

Please share this information with your clients.

Social Security Supports Teachers

It’s back to school time and many of your clients’ children are returning for another year of learning. Did you know that we have a toolkit that high school teachers can use to teach students more about Social Security? The Educator Toolkit is easy to use and provides shareable online resources to engage students and educate them about our programs.

The Educator Toolkit includes:

• Lesson plans with objectives.
• Infographics and handouts for each lesson plan.
• Links to Social Security webpages.
• Talking points.
• Quiz questions and answers.

We value the efforts of all teachers to educate America’s young people. As Social Security approaches its 90^th anniversary in 2025, we want to help spark important discussions about Social Security. Your clients can download the Educator Toolkit at www.ssa.gov/thirdparty/educators.html.

Please share this information with your clients and encourage them to share it with their favorite high school educators.