Social Security Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The following short-term changes are being implemented by the Social Security Administration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have any questions, send an email to Norman Karp, Benefits Specialist at NCCI at norman@ncci-online.com

Treasury Offset Program (TOP)

* SSA benefit payments are exempt from offset for federal student loan debt and other non-tax debts.
* March 26 –September 30, 2020
* TOP Technical Bulletin 2020-7

Suspended Workloads

* Will not start or complete any medical Continuing Disability Reviews or age 18 redeterminations
* Will not process or collect any new overpayments
* Will not respond to third party requests for information
* Will not process FOIA requests
* Will not review representative payee accountings
* However, P&A networks conducting monitoring reviews

General Policies

* Extending deadlines when possible for documentation or other information to be submitted
* Providing “maximum flexibility in applying good cause policy”
* Can extend time limits for submitting appeals and taking other actions
* 20 CFR 404.911& 416.1411

Online Services Continue

* File claim for retirement, SSDI, or Medicare
* Apply for “Extra Help” (Medicare Part D)
* Check application status
* File appeal
* Print benefit verification letter
* Submit change of address
* Set up or change direct deposit

National 800 Number 800-772-1213

* Scheduling phone appointment to apply for disability and survivors benefits
* Report non-receipt of benefits
* Change of address
* Change of direct deposit
* Change in representative payee
* Request to reinstate benefits
* Medicare/Medicaid applications

Local Offices

* Closed to public since March 17, 2020
* Providing critical services by phone, fax, mail
* Focusing on priority workloads
* Taking survivor applications and disability applications for most severe cases
* Handling reports of non-receipt of benefits
* Taking requests for waiver or reduced repayment for overpayments
* Reinstating benefits after suspension
* Addressing other “dire need” situations, including homelessness or risk of homelessness

Hearing Offices

* No in-person or video hearings
* Holding telephone hearings whenever possible
* Prioritizing critical cases
* Postponements granted for anyone who declines a telephone hearing
* Hearing notices from some OHOs do not include language about ability to opt out of telephone hearing

State DDS

* Since each office is a state entity, there is a lot of variation in response.

Directives from SSA:

* March 19 –29: flexibility in “good cause” for rescheduling CE appointments
* March 27: suspend denials for “failure to cooperate”
* March 30: suspend all CE appointments

DDS Suspensions

* Pre-hearings
* Disability hearings
* Continuing disability reviews and age 18 redeterminations
* Consultative exams

DDS Priorities

* Initial claims and reconsiderations identified as critical
* All other initial claims
* All other reconsiderations
* OHO requests for claims identified as critical