Social Security Administration Adds Online Tools, Notices for Disability Claims

The Social Security Administration recently announced enhancements to My Social Security, the online platform that allows individuals to estimate and manage their Social Security benefits.

Individuals can now use their personal accounts to complete, submit and track their disability claims, view proffer letters about evidence submitted in their cases securely and access 26 additional Social Security hearing-related notices, the agency stated.

The enhancements come as staffing at the Social Security Administration dropped in recent years. The Congressional Research Service reported in April that SSA total staffing dropped 17.1% between January 2024 and January 2026. The total staffing level at the SSA in 2026 is lower than any year since 1967, the same report stated.

SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano told members of the House Committee on Ways and Means last month that technology is helping the agency do more with fewer employees.

SSA Chief of Disability Adjudication Jay Ortis, in a statement about the new online tools, said, “These digital tools will streamline operations and empower claimants to stay informed and promptly respond to important developments throughout the hearing process, eliminating the need for hearing offices to make outbound calls and instead, focus on reviewing cases in a timely manner.”

The new disability adjudication forms available for submission include:

• Form HA-4631, recent medical treatment;
• Form HA-4642, medication information; and
• Form HA-4633, work background.

Individuals with a pending disability claim, appeal or recently adjudicated claim can view the status of their case online at the hearings and appeals levels. The claim tracker provides real-time updates and processing time estimates at each level of adjudication.

Account holders can access proffer letters securely through the My Social Security message center. A proffer letter is a notice sent when new evidence is added to a case after a hearing, allowing claimants to review and respond to the letter before a decision is made.

Claimants can opt to receive email or text notifications when new digital notices are available. The SSA will continue to mail paper notices to claimants and their appointed representatives.

More than 100 million Americans have My Social Security accounts, according to the July 21 announcement.