Social Security takes new step to address major complaints

For the more than 8 million Americans who receive Social Security disability benefits, the complaints are many. Many people are denied their initial requests for benefits; there are lengthy wait times for decisions and appeals, and numerous administrative communication hurdles.

Now, Social Security said it is addressing some of those concerns with new technology designed to make the process easier.

In a new blog post, the Social Security Administration said it has added new features in the personal my Social Security account. The changes allow people to submit information online, track your claim, view more notices, and get faster updates, all in one place.

READ MORE: Social Security payment schedule: When will September’s checks arrive? SSI payments?

What’s changed?

The digital-first approach makes it easier for users to stay informed of where they are in the process and manage their disability benefits, Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano said.

“By making more tools available online, we are empowering claimants to stay informed and manage their Social Security benefits with greater ease and confidence,” he said.

The new additions to my Social Security account are:

Online disability forms

You can complete and submit disability forms online through your personal my Social Security account. You can provide information about your medical treatment, medications, and work history without mailing paper forms.

Claim status tracker

If you have a pending disability claim or appeal, you can track your case online. The claims tracker gives you real-time updates, estimates processing times, and shows you important steps.

Secure access to proffer letters

You can now safely view proffer letters in the Message Center of your personal account. These notices tell you when new evidence has been added to your case and let you review and respond before a decision is made.

More digital notices

In all, there are 26 additional notices you can receive in the message center, including Notice of Hearing, Request for Good Cause for Late Filing, and Hearing Reminders. You can also choose to receive emails or text alerts when new documents are available. These notices will also be sent by mail.

Access information anytime

More than 100 million Americans use a personal my Social Security account. You can see more about creating your account here.