Social Security Updates Disability Qualification Forms
Published Date: 7/21/2025
Notice
Summary
The Social Security Administration wants your feedback on some forms they use to check if people still qualify for disability benefits. They’re updating these forms to make them clearer and easier to use, and they want to hear from anyone affected by these changes by September 19, 2025. This helps keep the process fair and smooth without wasting anyone’s time or money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Disability Reviews: three ways to respond
If you get Title II or Title XVI disability payments, SSA’s Continuing Disability Review (CDR) can be completed three ways: paper Form SSA-454-BK, a field-office interview with data entered into the Electronic Disability Collection System (EDCS), or an online i454 web application. SSA estimates 562,932 respondents and an average completion time of 600 minutes each (total annual burden 5,629,320 hours) with a theoretical opportunity cost of $86,832,628.
Direct deposit changes: new 8‑digit SAP process
SSA implemented a Security Authentication PIN (SAP) process so you can change direct deposit by phone or in person by generating an eight‑digit PIN from your my Social Security account; the SAP is valid for three hours. People without a my Social Security account are directed to create one (via Login.gov or ID.me) or to present ID in a field office; an exception process for dire-need cases uses Form SSA-553. SSA reports large usage estimates (e.g., 598,443 phone-assistance requests and a total of 2,387,436 related respondents) and a combined theoretical opportunity cost of $34,197,437 annually.
Online scheduling expanded (ESS & NASC)
SSA expanded its Enterprise Scheduling System (ESS) and National Appointment and Scheduling Calendar (NASC) so customers can self-schedule or have technicians schedule enumeration (new/replacement SSN cards), Post-Entitlement actions, and initial claims appointments. The tools require Login.gov or ID.me credentialing and collect name, SSN, contact info, and communication preferences. SSA estimates 3,150,000 respondents, a total annual burden of 1,469,194 hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $323,638,095.
CBSV: businesses must register, pay fees, keep consents
Private businesses that use SSA’s Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (CBSV) must register, obtain valid consent from SSN holders before verification, retain consent forms, and may be required to pay for compliance audits and any audit costs. SSA describes a fee-based, automated web service and Business Services Online access for participating companies and added a strong audit/compliance review component.
Electronic consents and record-release forms expanded
SSA updated how you can consent to release your records under the Privacy Act: you can use paper Form SSA-3288 or the new electronic SSA-3288-OP1 webform (built to comply with the CASES Act and OMB M-21-04). SSA reports annual respondent counts of 440,374 for SSA-3288 and 1,152 for SSA-3288-OP1 with a combined annual burden of 36,907 hours and a theoretical opportunity cost of $6,719,958.
SSN verifications: people must sign SSA-89
If a business asks SSA to verify your Social Security Number through CBSV, you must sign the authorization (Form SSA-89). SSA estimates 597,295 people will read and sign Form SSA-89 (about 3 minutes each) totaling 29,865 hours annually with a theoretical opportunity cost of $397,205.
Special Veterans Benefits: required reporting abroad
If you receive Special Veterans Benefits (SVB) and live outside the United States, SSA requires you to report specified changes (address, other benefits, return/visit to U.S. for a month or longer, or inability to manage benefits) using Form SSA-2010-F6 and to have an annual face-to-face interview with the Federal Benefits Unit. SSA’s estimate in this notice shows 30 respondents with a 20-minute response averaging a 10-hour total annual burden and a theoretical cost of $3,266.
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