SSA Releases New Online Tool for SSI Applications

The Social Security Administration (SSA) just released a new online tool that creates a protective filing date when applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, as long as the SSI application is submitted within 60 days of making the online request. The protective filing date is important because if the application is subsequently approved, it could mean an additional month or two of SSI benefits.

After you submit a request, SSA will schedule a telephone appointment to apply for benefits. If “priority life circumstances” — e.g., homelessness, a terminal illness, recent release from incarceration, or being a wounded warrior — is indicated in the application, SSA will try to call within three business days to take the application for SSI benefits over the phone or schedule an appointment for you to apply.

More detailed information about the online tool can be found here.

Biden’s 2023 Budget Increases Funding to Improve Social Security Services

According to CNBC, President Biden’s 2023 Budget allocates $1.6 billion to the Social Security Administration to improve services at Social Security “field offices, state disability determination services and teleservice centers. In addition, the funds would also be used to add staff to help reduce wait times and speed up the processing of disability claims.”

The article also notes that the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare believes that the additional funding could help “reduce customer service bottlenecks, including long wait times on the agency’s 800 number and for disability hearings, and help the agency reopen field offices that were shuttered during the pandemic.”

SSA Field Offices Opening Thursday, April 7th

The Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Kilolo Kijakazi, announced that the local Social Security field offices will reopen to the public on Thursday, April 7th. Masking and other Covid-19 protocols will be required for those visiting their local offices. Commissioner Kijakazi strongly encouraged people to call to make appointments: “I strongly encourage people, who can, to use our online services at www.socialsecurity.gov, call us, and schedule appointments in advance rather than walking in without an appointment. Phone appointments can save you a trip to a busy office. I thank the public for your patience as we work to increase service.”

Senators question Social Security Disability policy regarding Long Covid

Long Covid is real. Many people who were diagnosed with Covid-19 and recovered from the initial illness now describe symptoms that cannot be verified by objective medical tests. They become exhausted with normal exertion. They forget simple words. Their hearts race and flutter. Yet neurological exams are normal, EKGs are normal and chest X-rays detect no abnormalities.

While Social Security issued an emergency message last year to provide guidance on the evaluation of disability claims involving Long Covid, three U.S. Senators recently asked the Acting Commissioner of Social Security to revise her approach. They write: “Although SSA has taken steps to facilitate applications for those living with long COVID, existing SSA guidance requires applicants to provide a positive COVID-19 test or diagnosis with limited exceptions, which many living with long COVID cannot produce. We are concerned that, as currently drafted, this guidance may inappropriately limit access to disability benefits for those with long COVID. We urge you to revise this testing requirement.”