BIG UPDATE: Good News for Retirees Who Want to Collect SSI – Social Security Announces Major Change
This week brings promising news for retirees looking to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced significant changes aimed at simplifying the application process. Starting in December, the SSA will roll out online, streamlined forms for select applicants, making it easier for individuals to apply for assistance. The new iClaim extension is designed to offer a fully online application experience, which has been user-tested to ensure a simple and efficient process that reduces application times. Initially, only first-time applicants who are unmarried and aged 18 to 65 will be eligible for this new online application, with plans to expand availability to all applicants by spring 2025.
Simplifying the SSI Application Process
According to the latest SSA data, approximately 65 million Americans received Social Security payments in July, with 4.9 million relying exclusively on SSI benefits. Over 2.5 million individuals received both Social Security and SSI payments during the same month. The SSI program provides monthly benefits to eligible individuals, including seniors aged 65 and older, and blind or disabled children with limited resources or income. As of this year, the maximum federal payment for an eligible individual is $943, while an eligible individual with a spouse can receive $1,415, and dependents can receive $472. Currently, SSI applications can be submitted in person, over the phone, online, or via paper-based processes.
The SSA expects the online service to expedite the application process and speed up initial claim determinations. The initial launch of the iClaim extension will specifically target first-time applicants who have never been married, are between the ages of 18 and nearly 65, and are applying for both Social Security and SSI payments simultaneously. The second phase of this initiative, which is planned for late 2025, aims to include all claimants in the online application process.
Future Enhancements to SSI Applications
Insights gained from the iClaim extension will inform future phases of SSI simplification, streamlining not only online applications but also paper, phone, mobile, and in-person application processes. Additionally, the SSA plans to develop a separate, simplified application for children. These enhancements aim to improve interactions between Social Security staff and applicants, integrating ongoing feedback from the agency’s Customer Experience team, particularly from underserved communities.
Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley expressed that the agency is taking a vital step toward simplifying the SSI application process, following years of requests from applicants, advocates, and workers. He emphasized the SSA’s commitment to this vision over the next five years, believing that those who depend on this essential safety net deserve a more accessible and dignified application experience.
What to Do if Your SSI Benefits Are Denied
Receiving a denial for your Supplemental Security Income application can be disheartening. However, it’s important to know that a denial is not the end of the road. You have four options to have your claim reviewed and potentially approved through the appeals process. According to the SSA’s official website, most decisions regarding your eligibility for SSI or changes to your benefits can be appealed. If you disagree with a Social Security decision, you can file a formal appeal. Notably, many appeals can be submitted online, even if you are currently living outside the United States.
Also Read: Major airline learns its Chapter 11 bankruptcy fate
