SSA Wants Feedback on Easier SSI Family Income Forms
Published Date: 8/27/2026
Notice
Summary
The Social Security Administration wants to update how it collects info about income and resources from people helping SSI applicants. This affects parents, spouses, or guardians who provide financial details to keep SSI benefits accurate. They’re asking for your thoughts by October 26, 2026, to make the process clearer and easier without costing extra time or money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Third Parties Must Report SSI Income
If you are a parent, spouse, guardian, or other third party who supports someone applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SSA collects your income and resource details on Form SSA-8010-BK to decide eligibility. The agency estimates 1,916,720 respondents, a total annual burden of 638,907 hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $34,286,296; SSA is seeking comments by October 26, 2026.
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA)
SSA collects intake and case-note information for the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program to help SSDI beneficiaries and SSI recipients who want to return to work. SSA estimates a program-wide respondent total of 43,315, a total annual burden of 17,464 hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $441,569; SSA requests comments by October 26, 2026.
Direct Deposit Enrollment for Benefits
SSA requires OASDI beneficiaries and SSI recipients to receive payments by direct deposit and collects banking information through an Internet Direct Deposit Application and other modalities to enroll or change accounts. SSA estimates 8,010,548 respondents, 1,739,203 total annual burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $81,155,966; comments are due October 26, 2026.
Georgia SOAR Jail Intervention Study
SSA is collecting survey and administrative data as part of a Georgia project connecting incarcerated people with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) to SSI/SSDI help; 90 participants are in the project and follow-up surveys will continue through 2027. The study will evaluate whether connection to benefits and services helps approval rates, treatment access, and reduced recidivism; comments due October 26, 2026.
Waiver of Hearing Appearance Form
If you are applying for Social Security or SSI and choose to waive your right to personally appear before a judge, SSA collects that written waiver on Form HA-4608 so the judge can decide based on the record. SSA estimates 5,615 respondents, 468 total burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $6,678; comments are due October 26, 2026.
Request to Change Disability Hearing Time/Place
If you are a disability claimant or representative who cannot attend a scheduled hearing, you must use Form SSA-769 to request a change in the hearing time or place so SSA can consider rescheduling. SSA estimates 24,599 respondents, 3,280 total burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $46,806; comments due October 26, 2026.
Marital Relationship Questions for SSI
SSA uses Form SSA-4178, the Marital Relationship Questionnaire, to decide whether two unrelated opposite-sex people living together are presenting as husband and wife for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment decisions. SSA estimates 10,983 respondents, 916 total burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $65,799; comments are due by October 26, 2026.
Child Pain Report for Disability Decisions
When a child is applying for disability benefits, SSA may require Form SSA-3371 to record the child's pain or symptoms to help make a disability decision. SSA estimates 1,500 respondents, 375 total burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $21,519; comments are due October 26, 2026.
How to Request Pension Plan Information
Pension plan participants who want SSA's wage and pension information must submit a written request with identifying information before SSA will disclose plan data under 20 CFR 422.122(b). SSA estimates 178 requests, 89 total burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $3,186; comments due October 26, 2026.
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