Social Security

Update: October 3, 2018

SSA headquarters has new methods for notifying employees about upcoming events. Rather than using paper posters and public address announcments, webpages and monitors will communicate real-time information to employees. In FY 2018, SSA conducted an employee engagement to receive ideas about potential communication improvements. This change responds to some of the feedback.

Update: August 22, 2018

The National Disability Forum (NDF) is an open forum of people interested in assisting individuals with a disability, and in our agency's disability programs. It includes Social Security representatives, individuals with disabilities, advocate organizations, private companies, and members of the medical community. We also include Federal, State, local, and tribal government agencies. The NDF participants share their insight directly with agency policy-makers. Additionally, participants have an opportunity to hear from other stakeholders with diverse perspectives.

This was the first time live streaming was used for the NDF. We used sign language interpreters who were captured on camera so that live stream participants with hearing impairments could participate in real time. This allowed organizations and individuals across the country to see the proceedings and interact via email.

Update: March 26, 2018

Click-to-Chat is scheduled to launch in FY 2018. Recent progress includes beginning employee training to help SSA technicians anticipate and respond to the different types of chat inquiries we expect. New design features were approved to allow customers to type their chat message in the font style, size, and color they prefer. This new communication channel for supporting SSA customers will be available through the Dynamic Help widget behind my Social Security.

Update: August 29, 2017

We continue to provide information to the public and offer a forum for discussion and feedback about important issues through our Social Security Matters blog.

Last year, we launched our new Social Security Matters blog. This blog is a platform for Social Security to share our goals, programs, and online services with the American public and stakeholders, while providing a forum for readers to share their feedback. The interactive nature of this communications outlet provides the public with one more avenue of participation, and enhances our commitment to two-way, new media communications.

Update: October 31, 2016

Modernizing how we communicate with the public continues to be a top priority for us. On July 23, 2016, we launched a new feature on my Social Security, a secure Message Center. When a new message is added to the user’s secure Message Center, a notification is sent via email or text message to the users’ personal email or text-ready phone, based on user preference.

Update: October 3, 2018

Electronic 7B (e7B) Platform

All employees have access to the new e7B file, which converted the paper-based 7B file to an electronic platform.

Update: June 28, 2018

Wage Reporting Application

The my Social Security online portal now accepts wage reports electronically from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and deemors, concurrent beneficiaries, and representative payees. This capability had been available only to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries and their representative payees.

Update: June 21, 2018

Requests for Review at the Appeals Council Level can now be Submitted Online

Effective June 16, 2018, claimants requesting review at the Appeals Council level and their appointed representatives can submit their request online. This release will improve the input, tracking, and assignment of cases for the Office of Appellate Operations. It will also make it easier for the claimants and their appointed representatives to file their requests.

Update: March 13, 2018

To enhance public participation and interaction with SSA, we now utilize FOIAonline, a government-owned shared service for FOIA requests. FOIAonline allows the public to submit requests directly to SSA and communicate with our FOIA staff.

Update: August 29, 2017

We are rolling out a new online service: applying online for a replacement Social Security Number card. In 2018, all states will be included in this service. You can use a my Social Security account to apply for a replacement Social Security card online if you:

• Are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address (this includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses);
• Are not requesting a name change or any other change to your card; and
• Have a driver's license or a state-issued identification card from one of the states already rolled out.

See Social Security Number and Card for more information and for a current list of states where you can apply online for a replacement Social Security card

Update: December 7, 2016

In December 2016, we launched a new service for my Social Security account holders where the public can check on the status of an application for benefits or an appeal filed with us. Users will now have access to detailed information about retirement, disability, survivors, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income claims and appeals filed either online, on the SSA Website, or with a Social Security employee. For more information on this new feature in my Social Security, read our post in the Social Security Matters blog.

In July 2016, we are scheduled to launch a new application that will allow my Social Security customers to review the detailed status of both internet and in-office initial Social Security and Supplemental Security Income claims, and Medicare Only claims and appeals.

Other plans for late fiscal year 2016 include plans to develop an online service to allow for the electronic reporting of Disability wages electronically. Under this initiative, we will also review all current processes to ensure consistency in the collection of the wage information.

Update: May 25, 2016

In July 2016, we are scheduled to launch a new application that will allow my Social Security customers to review the detailed status of both internet and in-office initial Social Security and Supplemental Security Income claims, and Medicare Only claims and appeals.

Other plans for late fiscal year 2016 include plans to develop an online service to allow for the electronic reporting of Disability wages electronically. Under this initiative, we will also review all current processes to ensure consistency in the collection of the wage information.

Update: May 28, 2015

In March 2015 we updated the online appeal process, making it more flexible and streamlined, providing easier navigation and eliminating requests for the same information. The new online appeal process allows the user to submit both the appeal form and the medical report in just one online session. Users can electronically submit supporting documents with the appeal request. The screen messages and application language are clear and concise, and the navigation and on-screen help has been improved. Users living outside the United States are now able to file appeals online. For more information on our new online service, see What You Can Do Online.

Update: February 20, 2015

In 2015, we expanded our online services so that Social Security beneficiaries can now access their SSA-1099 from their my Social Security account. With this new online service the public can now view, download, and print a copy of their SSA-1099. This replaces the old process to have a replacement paper statement mailed to you. For more information on our new online service, see my Social Security.

Update: May 24, 2016

In FY 2015, we began to plan and analyze information for development of a possible field office wait-time application. However, due to resource limitations, we have stopped work on this project.

Update: September 28, 2018

The AIAN map Video Service Delivery (VSD) terminal locations were updated.

Update: September 12, 2018

The AIAN map, which includes Field Office and Resident Station locations, was updated.

Update: May 8, 2018

The AIAN map, which was launched in November 2016, was updated again with new data. Two new Video Service Delivery (VSD) sites were added, Stone Lake, WI and Keshena, WI.

Update: May 2, 2018

The updated Tribal Benefits Coordinator Guide highlights the AIAN map.

Update: March 7, 2018

Updated tutorials for SSA’s Map Gallery are at the following links:
AIAN Map Tutorial
OASDI Map Tutorial

Update: February 20, 2018

The AIAN map, which was launched in November 2016, was updated again with new data. A new Video Service Delivery (VSD) site has been added in Taos, New Mexico.

Update: August 29, 2017

We continue to update our geospatial maps with more recent data. Go to our Map Gallery to view all of our geospatial maps. The links to the accessible map data files can be found on our Accessiblity page.

Update December 7, 2016

In November 2016, we launched our newest geospatial map, the American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) map! The interactive AIAN map allows users to find the local Social Security Video Service Delivery (VSD), Field Office, or Resident Station locations closest to their tribe or reservation locations. Update: new information was added in August 2017.

Update: October 31, 2016

We continue to improve our GeoMaps initiative at the SSA! We recently added 2015 and 2013 geospatial data on our Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Benefits by State collection. We also added three new Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to query the OASDI data. These maps provide Social Security information on the distribution of Social Security beneficiaries and benefit dollars by state, and renders the complex data in a way that is easy to understand.

Our first set of maps laid the groundwork for establishing a presence on GeoPlatform.gov, a federal platform to collaborate and share geospatial datasets. SSA is now one of many organizations (e.g. federal, state, local, universities) participating in GeoPlatform, a site managed by the Federal Geographic Data Community, chaired by the Department of the Interior.

Our goal is to deepen the public’s understanding of our programs through geographic representations, increasing the transparency of our agency data. If you have ideas on the types of maps you would like published, email: open.government@ssa.gov. As more geospatial maps become available, we will add them to the Open Government Map Gallery!

Update: May 24, 2016

In May 2016, we launched our first public-facing geospatial map, utilizing public Social Security data. You can access this new map by clicking the following link: OASDI Beneficiaries and Benefits by State 2014. We expect to publish more maps throughout 2016.

Update: September 17, 2018

Our feedback channel is still open and available for your comments, suggestions, and requests. To contact us, email: open.government@ssa.gov