Major change in SSI that will affect millions of Americans – Announced for December
According to Lagradaonline, The Social Security Administration (SSA), responsible for managing retirement and disability benefits in the United States, is set to introduce significant changes to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Beginning in December 2024, the SSI application process will transition to a fully online system through a new application called iClaim. This move aims to simplify and expedite the application process for millions of Americans.
The iClaim system will be available to individuals aged 18 to 65 who are applying for both retirement and SSI benefits simultaneously. The online platform will feature user-tested questions, pre-populated answers where possible, and a step-by-step guide using plain language. These enhancements are expected to reduce the time required to process claims and make initial determinations.
Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley highlighted the initiative on the Social Security blog, stating that this transition marks a significant step toward improving the SSI application process. The first phase of the rollout will be completed in December 2024, with the second phase—extending the online application option to all claimants—scheduled for the end of 2025. Currently, around 4.9 million people receive SSI benefits, with an additional 65 million receiving retirement benefits as of July.
Benefits of the iClaim System
The implementation of iClaim is anticipated to streamline the SSI application process, reducing both the time needed for application and the initial claim determination. Future phases will build on the lessons learned from iClaim, aiming to enhance paper, phone, mobile, and in-person application processes. Plans are also underway to create a separate, more streamlined application specifically for children. Feedback from the agency’s customer experience team, particularly from underserved communities, will play a crucial role in refining the application process and improving communication between Social Security employees and applicants.
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Additional Changes to Disability and SSI Evaluation
In addition to the new iClaim system, the federal government is introducing changes to the evaluation process for SSDI and SSI payments. Starting June 22, 2024, the SSA will implement a regulation that focuses on recent employment data and limits the evaluation of disability claimants’ work history to the past five years. This change aims to streamline the disability application process by prioritizing current work activity and simplifying the data required for decision-making.
The new rule will improve case processing, reduce wait times, and enhance customer service by concentrating on recent employment records rather than an extensive 15-year work history. This approach is intended to address challenges faced by applicants in recalling specific details of their work history and to accelerate the processing of disability claims and SSI payments.
These updates are designed to make the Social Security application process more efficient and user-friendly, benefiting millions of Americans who rely on these crucial financial supports.
