SSA Seeks Input on Widower Benefits Application Forms
Published Date: 4/27/2026
Notice
Summary
The Social Security Administration wants your feedback on updating forms used to apply for widow or widower benefits. They’re checking if the forms are clear, useful, and not too much work to fill out. If you have thoughts, send them by June 26, 2026, so SSA can improve the process without costing extra time or money.
Free Policy Watch
New rules are filed every week. Most people never see them.
Pick a topic. PRIA watches every federal rule and tells you when one hits your household.
Pick a topic to get started
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 6 costs, 2 mixed.
Keeping SSI payments during short institutional stays
To maintain SSI payments during a temporary institutional stay (maximum three months), SSA collects a physician certification and a statement of need (Form SSA-186). SSA estimates 53,424 total annual respondents, 13,356 total annual burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $738,085.
Faster SSI help for low birth-weight infants
Hospitals and claimants use Form SSA-3830 to provide medical information for low birth-weight infants; SSA says the form can serve as a protective filing statement and help produce expedited payments. SSA estimates 3,860 claimants, 965 total annual burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $103,149 for the activity.
Time cost to apply for widow(er) benefits
If you apply for widow's or widower's Social Security benefits using Form SSA-10, SSA estimates 567,964 annual responses and a total of 283,982 annual burden hours. SSA estimates a theoretical opportunity cost of $22,972,815 tied to completing the form across paper, upload, in-person, and telephone methods.
Burden to request lump-sum death payment
If you apply for the Lump Sum Death Payment using Form SSA-8, SSA estimates 785,323 annual respondents and 117,569 total annual burden hours. SSA reports a theoretical annual opportunity cost of $18,540,658 for completing the form via paper, internet portal, upload, or interview.
Paperwork to withdraw a benefits application
If you withdraw an application using Form SSA-521, SSA estimates 81,891 annual respondents and 6,824 total annual burden hours. SSA estimates a theoretical opportunity cost of $222,872 across pre-adjudication and post-adjudication withdrawals.
Employers must provide wage data for disability reviews
When SSA lacks earnings data for disability recipients, it uses Form SSA-L725 to request monthly earnings from employers. SSA estimates 124,000 annual employer responses, 82,667 total annual burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $2,260,116.
Employers must report wages for SSI eligibility
SSA uses Form SSA-L4201-BK to obtain wage information from employers for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) determinations. SSA estimates 133,000 annual employer responses, 66,500 total annual burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $1,818,110.
Medicare Part D subsidy account verification
SSA uses Form SSA-4640 to obtain consent and verify financial-account balances for Medicare Part D low-income subsidy applicants. SSA estimates 5,000 applicants, 833 total annual burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $11,887 for applicants.
Banks must provide records for Part D subsidy checks
Financial institutions that respond to SSA-4640 requests are estimated at 5,000 annual respondents, with 833 total annual burden hours and a theoretical opportunity cost of $37,518 for supplying account records to SSA.
Form for negotiating civil monetary penalty repayments
Individuals who owe Civil Monetary Penalties (CMPs) and choose installment plans provide financial disclosure on Form SSA-640; SSA estimates 10 annual respondents, 20 total annual burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $469.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in