SSA Begs for Feedback on Benefit Forms: Bureaucracy Snoozefest
Published Date: 9/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The Social Security Administration wants your thoughts on some forms they use to decide benefits, including a new one. If you or someone you know applies for Social Security benefits, this affects you! They’re asking for comments by October 26, 2026, to make sure the forms are clear and not too much work to fill out.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Universal Benefits Application — Easier Online Filing
SSA is launching the Universal Benefits Application (UBA), a new online platform that will replace the older iClaim system and let people apply for benefits (initially the Lump-Sum Death Payment, SSA-8, and Retirement Insurance Benefits, SSA-1) through one site. UBA uses "smart pathing," pulls information SSA already has, and will let users upload supporting evidence so they can complete and submit benefit applications online.
UBA Requires Identity Proofing via Login.gov or ID.me
To submit a benefits application through UBA, you must authenticate using SSA's eAccess flow that navigates to Login.gov or ID.me for identity-proofing before you can proceed. SSA will propagate the authenticated identity information into the UBA application.
UBA Initially Limits Use to First-Party, Non-Disabled Filers
The initial UBA releases allow only authenticated individuals filing for their own benefits (first-party) who are non-disabled to apply through the portal; third parties are not able to access UBA at this time. SSA will roll out additional application types over time.
Electronic Records Express (ERE) Expands Digital Evidence Access
SSA's Electronic Records Express (ERE) and ERE-Appointed Representative Services let medical providers, educational providers, and appointed representatives electronically submit and access disability claimant records and digital audio hearing recordings. SSA reports very large annual usage (for example, 135,477,567 recorded ERE downloads in the reporting period).
Fees to Request Earnings Statements
If you request your Social Security earnings record using Form SSA-7050-F4, SSA charges per request: $49 for a non-certified Itemized Statement, $79 for a certified Itemized Statement, and $30 for a Certified Yearly Totals of Earnings. SSA reports annual request volumes of about 35,000 non-certified, 20,000 certified, and 11,800 yearly-total requests.
MAGIC Replaces IRES for Business/Government Access
SSA will replace the old IRES registration with a new Management of Authorization for Government Users, Institutions, and Customers (MAGIC) system to let businesses and government entities manage access to Business Services Online (BSO) and Government Services Online (GSO). Each organization designates a Responsible Entity Officer (REO) who can create accounts, delegate roles, and authorize employees to act on the organization's behalf; IRES was decommissioned in July 2025.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-19572, Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request
The Social Security Administration wants your feedback on some forms they use to check self-employment income for benefits. They’re updating and extending these forms and want to make sure they’re easy to use and not too much work. If you have thoughts, send them by November 23, 2026, so they can keep things running smoothly without extra costs or hassle.
Next: 2026-19574, Combined Notice of Filings #1
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got several new filings from power companies like Walleye Power and Entergy Texas, plus updates from atomic and municipal power groups. These filings include requests to change rates and fix paperwork, with some changes set to start as soon as September or November 2026. If you’re involved in energy or power markets, keep an eye on comment deadlines in early to mid-October to have your say!