Home/Federal/Federal Register/2026-19573

Notice2026-19573

Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published

September 24, 2026

Issuing agencies

Social Security Administration

Full Text

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 184 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 184 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60677-60685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19573]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No: SSA-2026-1057]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of
information collection packages requiring clearance by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with

[[Page 60678]]

Public Law 104-13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, effective
October 1, 1995. This notice includes revisions of OMB-approved
information collections and one new collection.
SSA is soliciting comments on the accuracy of the agency's burden
estimate; the need for the information; its practical utility; ways to
enhance its quality, utility, and clarity; and ways to minimize burden
on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. Mail, email, or fax your
comments and recommendations on the information collection(s) to the
OMB Desk Officer and SSA Reports Clearance Officer at the following
addresses or fax numbers.
(OMB) Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA
(SSA) Social Security Administration, OLCA, Attn: Reports Clearance
Director, Mail Stop 3253 Altmeyer, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD
21235, Fax: 833-410-1631, Email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8cc3dea2dee9fce3fef8ffa2cfe0e9edfeede2efe9ccffffeda2ebe3fa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c332e522e190c130e080f523f10191d0e1d121f193c0f0f1d521b130a">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
Or you may submit your comments online through <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAmain">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAmain</a> by clicking on Currently under
Review--Open for Public Comments and choosing to click on one of SSA's
published items. Please reference Docket ID Number [SSA-2026-1057] in
your submitted response.
SSA submitted the information collections below to OMB for
clearance. Your comments regarding these information collections would
be most useful if OMB and SSA receive them 30 days from the date of
this publication. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive
them no later than October 26, 2026. Individuals can obtain copies of
this OMB clearance package by writing to the
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8dc2dfa3dfe8fde2fff9fea3cee1e8ecffece3eee8cdfefeeca3eae2fb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbf4e995e9decbd4c9cfc895f8d7dedac9dad5d8defbc8c8da95dcd4cd">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
1. Application for Parent's Insurance Benefits--20 CFR 404.370,
404.371, 404.373, 404.374 & 404.601-404.603--0960-0012. Section 202(h)
of the Social Security Act (Act) establishes the conditions of
eligibility a claimant must meet to receive monthly benefits as a
parent of a deceased worker who was contributing at least one-half of
the parent's support within 2 years of when the deceased worker became
disabled, or at least one-half support at the time of the worker's
death. SSA uses information from Form SSA-7-F6, Application for
Parent's Insurance Benefits, to determine if the claimant meets the
eligibility criteria. The respondents are applicants filing for
Parent's Insurance Benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in field Total annual
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated theoretical office or for opportunity
Method of completion respondents response per response total annual hourly cost teleservice cost (dollars)
(minutes) burden (hours) amount centers ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-7-F6 (Paper--Mailed)................ 66 1 30 33 * $33.54 N/A $1,107
SSA-7 (Fillable PDF, Upload Documents).. 60 1 30 30 * 33.54 N/A *** 1,006
Interview (MCS--Telephone or In-Person). 296 1 30 148 * 33.54 ** 11 *** 6775
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................. 422 .............. .............. 211 .............. .............. *** 8,888
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on an average U.S. citizen's hourly salary ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
Wage Statistics).
** We based this 11-minute figure on the average combined August 2026 wait times for field offices (21 minutes, as captured by management information
data and posted on our public-facing website, (Social Security performance [verbar] SSA)) and for teleservice centers (1 minute, which represents the
average time it takes for a call to be picked up automatically by our systems and then routed to an SSA technician; this figure also comes from
management information data). As the figures fluctuate, the actual wait times may differ slightly from the averages reported here. We will update
these figures periodically to reflect the most accurate available data. We did not include an in-office wait time for the paper form, as respondents
only mail it in; therefore, they do not experience any wait time.
*** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the information collection.

2. Employment Relationship Questionnaire--20 CFR 404.1007--0960-
0040. When SSA needs to confirm a worker's employment status to ensure
the accuracy of a worker's earning records, the agency uses Form SSA-
7160, Employment Relationship Questionnaire, to determine the existence
of an employer-employee relationship. We use the information this form
collects to determine whether a beneficiary is self-employed, or if the
beneficiary is an employee. The respondents are individuals seeking to
establish their status as employees, as well as households, businesses,
and state or local governments seeking to establish their status as
alleged employers.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average burden Estimated total theoretical Average wait Total annual
Method of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden hourly cost time in field opportunity cost
respondents response (minutes) (hours) amount office (dollars) ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-7160........................ 19 1 25 8 $33.54 * 21 ** $503 ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on an average U.S. citizen's hourly salary ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
Wage Statistics).
** We based this figure on the average August 2026 wait time for field offices (21 minutes), as captured by SSA's current management information data.
This figure is also posted on our public-facing website (Social Security performance [verbar] SSA). As the figures fluctuate, the wait times may be
different on the website than they appear here. While we have included wait time for all respondents who complete the paper form, we note that
respondents are not required to complete the form in person and those who mail or drop off a completed form do not experience any wait time.
*** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the information collection.

3. Farm Self-Employment Questionnaire--20 CFR 404.1082(c) &
404.1095--0960-0061. SSA collects the information on Form SSA-7156 on a
voluntary, as-needed basis to determine the existence of an agriculture
trade or business which may affect the insured status or monthly
benefit of a retirement applicant. When an applicant indicates self-
employment as a farmer, SSA uses the SSA-7156 to determine the
existence of an agricultural trade or business, and to calculate
subsequent covered earnings for Social Security entitlement purposes
the applicant is

[[Page 60679]]

claiming. As part of the application process, we conduct a personal
interview with the applicant, either face-to-face or via telephone, and
document the interview using Form SSA-7156. Alternately, applicants
have the option of using our Upload Documents portal (OMB No. 0960-
0830), which allows them to complete and submit the form online in lieu
of an interview. The respondents are applicants for Social Security
benefits whose entitlement and amount of benefits depend on
establishing if the worker received covered earnings from self-
employment as a farmer, and if so how much they earned.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in field Total annual
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated theoretical office or for opportunity
Method of completion respondents response per response total annual hourly cost teleservice cost (dollars)
(minutes) burden (hours) amount centers ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-7156 (Fillable PDF--Upload 54 1 15 14 * $18.09 N/A *** $253
Documents)............................
SSA-7156--(In-Person Interview)........ 6 1 15 2 * 18.09 ** 11 *** 54
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals............................. 60 .............. .............. 16 .............. .............. *** 307
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on an average Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop Nursery, and Greenhouse salary ($18.09) as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics
data (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics).
** We based this 11-minute figure on the average combined August 2026 wait times for field offices (21 minutes, as captured by management information
data and posted on our public-facing website, (Social Security performance [verbar] SSA)) and for teleservice centers (1 minute, which represents the
average time it takes for a call to be picked up automatically by our systems and then routed to an SSA technician; this figure also comes from
management information data). As the figures fluctuate, the actual wait times may differ slightly from the averages reported here. We will update
these figures periodically to reflect the most accurate available data.
*** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the information collection.

4. Certification by Religious Group--20 CFR 404.1075--0960-0093.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, Section 1402(g), certain self-employed
religious group members may receive a waiver of all Social Security
benefits and payments and thus will be exempt from paying Social
Security taxes, if SSA determines they qualify for the waiver. A
religious group's authorized spokesperson completes and submits to SSA
Form SSA-1458, Certification by Religious Group, so SSA can verify if
religious organizational members meet or continue to meet the criteria
for exemption. The respondents are spokespersons for religious groups
or sects seeking a waiver for Social Security payments and benefits
under IRS Code Section 1402(g).
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated total theoretical Total annual
Method of completion respondents response per response annual burden cost amount opportunity cost
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (dollars) ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-1458......................................... 318 1 15 80 $33.54 * $2,683 **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on an average U.S. citizen's hourly salary ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
Wage Statistics).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the information collection.

5. Notice Regarding Substitution of Party Upon Death of Claimant
Reconsideration of Disability Cessation--20 CFR 404.907-404.921 and
416.1407-416.1421--0960-0351. When a claimant dies before we make a
determination on that person's request for reconsideration of a
disability cessation, SSA seeks a qualified substitute party who may
choose to pursue the appeal. If SSA locates a qualified substitute
party, the agency uses Form SSA-770-U4 to collect information about
whether to pursue or withdraw the reconsideration request. We use this
information as the basis for the decision to continue or discontinue
the appeals process. Respondents are individuals with a relationship to
the deceased or the deceased's estate who may be made a substitute
party and proceed with or withdraw the reconsideration request.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information
collection.

[[Page 60680]]

*** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the information collection.

6. Missing and Discrepant Wage Reports Letters, Questionnaires, and
Online Reconciliation Application--20 CFR 31.6051-2--0960-0432. Each
year employers report the wage amounts they paid their employees to the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax purposes, and separately to SSA
for retirement and disability coverage purposes. Employers are required
to report the same figures to SSA and the IRS. However, each year some
of the employer wage reports SSA receives diverge from the amounts the
same employers reported to the IRS. SSA uses Forms SSA-L93-SM, SSA-L94-
SM, SSA-95-SM, and SSA-97-SM to work with employers to resolve the
discrepancy and, ultimately, to ensure employees receive full credit
for their wages. This information collection tool also includes the
online IRS/SSA Reconciliation portal, which is a streamlined version of
the SSA-95-SM and the SSA-97-SM. The IRS/SSA Reconciliation portal
guides employers to the appropriate solutions and will link the users
to on-line tools to correct issues. The respondents are employers who
reported different wage amounts to SSA than they reported to the IRS.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information
collection.

7. Request for Social Security Earning Information--20 CFR 404.100
and 404.810--0960-0525. The Act permits wage earners, or their
authorized representatives, to request Social Security earnings
information from SSA using Form SSA-7050-F4. SSA uses the information
the respondent provides on Form SSA-7050-F4 to verify the wage earner
has: (1) earnings; (2) the right to access the correct Social Security
Record; and (3) the right to request the earnings statement. If we
verify all three items, SSA produces an Itemized Statement of Earnings
(Form SSA-1826), which can be certified or non-certified, and includes
the names and addresses of employers and the earnings associated with
each employer, or a Certified Yearly Totals of Earnings, which only
includes the total earnings for each year but does not include the
names and addresses of employers, and sends it to the requestor. If we
cannot verify the items, we will inform the respondent we cannot
provide them with the requested Statement of Earnings due to this
mismatch. The agency charges respondents for sending them an Itemized
Statement of Earnings, or for a Certified Yearly Totals of Earnings.
Respondents are wage earners and their authorized representatives who
are requesting Itemized Statement of Earnings records or Certified
Yearly Totals of Earnings.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated total theoretical Total annual
Method of completion respondents response per response annual burden cost amount opportunity cost
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (dollars) ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-7050-F4...................................... 66,800 1 11 12,247 $33.54 * $410,764 **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on an average U.S. citizen's hourly salary ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
Wage Statistics).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection.

The actual charge for an Itemized Statement of Earnings or a
Certified Yearly Total of Earnings to be shown on the SSA-7050-F4 is as
follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Annual cost across all
Type of respondent requests Cost per request requests per year
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Certified Respondent......................... 35,000 $49 $1,715,000
Certified Respondent............................. 20,000 79 1,580,000
Certified Yearly Totals of Earnings.............. 11,800 30 354,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................................ 66,880 ................. $3,649,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Function Report Adult-Third Party--20 CFR 404.1512 & 416.912--
0960-0635. Individuals applying for or receiving Social Security
Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) must
provide SSA

[[Page 60681]]

with medical evidence and other proof SSA requires to prove their
disability. SSA, and Disability Determination Services (DDS) on our
behalf, collect information from third parties who know the adult
applying for SSDI or SSI and who can provide information about how the
adult's purported disability affects the adult's ability to function.
The respondents are third parties familiar with the functional
limitations (or lack thereof) of claimants for or recipients of SSI and
SSDI benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated total theoretical Total annual
Method of completion respondents response per response annual burden cost amount opportunity cost
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (dollars) ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-3380-BK...................................... 635,620 1 61 646,214 * $33.54 ** $21,674,018
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on an average U.S. citizen's hourly salary ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
Wage Statistics).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the information collection.

9. Function Report--Adult 20 CFR 404.1512 and 416.912--0960-0681.
SSA requires individuals applying for or receiving SSDI or SSI benefits
to provide us with medical evidence and other information we may need
to prove their disability. SSA staff, and State DDS employees on SSA's
behalf, use Form SSA-3373, an in-person interview, or a telephone
interview to collect information directly from an adult SSI or SSDI
claimant or recipient about how their purported disability affects
their activities, capabilities, and general ability to function. We use
this information to help determine eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for SSI and SSDI claims. The respondents are adult Title
II and Title XVI claimants, or current recipients undergoing
redeterminations of benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in field
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated total theoretical office or for Total annual
Method of completion respondents response per response annual burden cost amount teleservice opportunity cost
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * centers (dollars) ***
(minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-3373........................ 1,812,929 1 61 1,843,144 * $14.27 ** 11 *** $31,044,585
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on average disability payments ($14.27) based on SSA's current FY 2026 data (Effect of COLA on Average Social Security Benefits).
** We based this 11-minute figure on the average combined August 2026 wait times for field offices (21 minutes, as captured by management information
data and posted on our public-facing website, (Social Security performance [verbar] SSA)) and for teleservice centers (1 minute, which represents the
average time it takes for a call to be picked up automatically by our systems and then routed to an SSA technician; this figure also comes from
management information data). As the figures fluctuate, the actual wait times may differ slightly from the averages reported here. We will update
these figures periodically to reflect the most accurate available data.
*** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the information collection.

10. Electronic Records Express (ERE) and Electronic Records
Appointed Representative Services (ERE-ARS)--20 CFR 404.1512 and
416.912--0960-0753.
Electronic Records Express (ERE) is a web-based SSA system that
allows medical providers, educational providers, and other third
parties, such as teachers and school administrators, to electronically
submit disability claimant evidence to SSA after completing the
required registration and login process. SSA and State DDS employees
use ERE to request and receive medical and educational records needed
to determine eligibility for disability benefits. When the available
evidence provided to us is insufficient, SSA also uses ERE to order and
receive consultative examination reports. This information collection
also includes ERE Appointed Representative Services (ERE-ARS), which
allows appointed representatives to securely access online copies of
documents and digital audio hearing recordings contained in their
clients' disability claim files. Through ERE-ARS, appointed
representatives can obtain the same information that SSA provides to
disability claimants, and can submit information collections and
evidence on behalf of the disability claimants they serve. To ensure
only authorized people access ERE or ERE-ARS, SSA requires third
parties to complete a unique registration process if they wish to use
this system. The respondents are medical providers who evaluate or
treat disability claimants or recipients, other third parties with
connections to disability applicants or recipients (e.g., Teachers and
school administrators for child disability applicants), and appointed
representative who voluntarily choose to use ERE or ERE-ARS.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average Estimated theoretical Total annual
Method of completion Number of Frequency of burden per total annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents response response burden (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(minutes) (dollars) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ERE (ERE sign-ins and activities)...................... 6,121,008 1 10 1,020,168 * $51 ** $52,028,568
ERE (account registrations)............................ 3,668 1 35 2,140 * 51 ** 109,140
ERE-ARS (technician-assisted actions).................. 500 1 15 125 * 89.35 ** 11,169

[[Page 60682]]

ERE-ARS (Number of downloads).......................... 135,477,567 1 1 2,257,960 * 89.35 ** 201,748,726
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals............................................. 141,602,743 .............. .............. 3,280,391 .............. ** 253,897,603
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on the average combined Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Worker's ($52.26), Secondary School Administrator's
($48.99) hourly salary ($51 total), and an average Lawyer's ($89.35) hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational
Employment and Wage Statistics).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the information collection.

11. Management of Authorization for Government Users, Institutions,
and Customers (MAGIC)--20 CFR 401.45, 20 CFR 402--0960-NEW.

Introduction

To support the agency's priority of offering the best possible
online access to the public, SSA is creating a new public credentialing
and authorization process, hereafter called Management of Authorization
for Government Users, Institutions, and Customers (MAGIC), that
provides secure access to SSA's electronic services for the Business
Services Online (BSO) and Government Services Online (GSO) users. These
users will be able to access MAGIC after securely verifying their
identities through existing government-approved authentication methods.

Background

Currently SSA Integrated Registration Services (IRES), OMB No.
0960-0626, provides authentication and authorization services to
support business and government services through our BSO and GSO
websites. Built in the late 1990s and early 2000s, IRES does not meet
current federal authentication and digital identity requirements.
Because of that, we decommissioned IRES registration in July 2025 to
ensure new users do not attempt to use the system.
Our new application, MAGIC, will replace IRES as the new
registration and authorization process for Business Services Online
(BSO) and Government Services Online (GSO). Current IRES respondents
will register to use the new MAGIC process along with new users who
wish to do business with SSA through the BSO and GSO portals. The new
process will allow individuals within business and government entities
to fully manage access for their users.

Management of Authorization for Government Users, Institutions, and
Customers (MAGIC)

MAGIC is a self-service authorization framework. Each entity will
designate a Responsible Entity Officer (REO) who is authorized to
execute agreements on behalf of the entity that are legally binding and
enforceable. The REO should have authority to access any information
available to the entity through any Social Security service; authorize
the disclosure of that information when appropriate; and delegate other
individuals to have access to it.
Each designated REO will create a MAGIC account and self-attest,
acknowledging responsibility for all business conducted in MAGIC, BSO,
and GSO on behalf of their organization. As a convenience, our
framework includes additional administrative roles that the REO can
delegate, authorizing another individual to manage the organization's
MAGIC account. The REO and additional administrative roles have a
higher level of safeguarding and security. The REO and/or additional
administrative roles will delegate service roles authorizing other
users to conduct specific BSO/GSO business during a specified timeframe
on the organization's behalf, which includes third-party organizations.
Both the REO and Administrator can revoke service roles as well. Every
user (i.e., REO, Administrator, or Service User) will use their own
credential to access MAGIC and BSO/GSO.
Currently, potential MAGIC users can authorize their credentials
via <a href="http://Login.gov">Login.gov</a> or ID.me through our eAccess platform (OMB No. 0960-
0789). MAGIC will then allow businesses to specify who is appropriate
to act on the business' behalf. MAGIC will offer the following features
for the REO:
<bullet> Include a single credential through one of SSAs CSPs to
any customer who wants to do business online with the agency and meets
the eligibility criteria (approved under OMB Control No. OMB #0960-
0789);
<bullet> Allow users to give authorization to the appropriate
employees to conduct business with us;
<bullet> Offer access to some of our services online while
providing us with an acceptable level of confidence in the identity of
the person requesting access to these services;
<bullet> Use a risk-based approach to balance security, ease of
use, compliance, cost, and feasibility consideration; and
<bullet> Provide a user-friendly means for the public to conduct
extended business with us online instead of visiting local servicing
offices or requesting information over the phone.
In addition, MAGIC will offer organizational REOs the option of
technician assistance for unlocking and blocking user accounts within
their organization, or for terminating the REO account. In this way,
MAGIC will give more flexibility to organizations and businesses who do
business with SSA through the BSO and GSO portals. Overall, MAGIC will
offer organizations accessibility to SSA's online services while
ensuring those services are both secure and user-friendly. Respondents
are individuals registering and authorizing users for access to BSO and
GSO.
Type of Request: Request for a new information collection.

[[Page 60683]]

CSA Screens (Technician Assisted Unlocking/Blocking \+\ 100,000 1 2 3,333 * 33.54 ** 2 *** 223,578
Account; Terminate REO)............................
Internet Sign[dash]Ins.............................. \+\ 1 1 33,333 * 33.54 N/A *** 1,117,989
2,000,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.......................................... \+\ ............ ........... 103,333 ............ ............ *** 3,577,578
4,100,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\+\ The reported number of respondents is an estimate since this is a new information collection. Once we have MI data for this new information
collection, we will submit a Change Request to update the burden with more accurate data.
* We based this figure on an average U.S. citizen's hourly salary ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
Wage Statistics).
** We based this figure on the FY 2026 wait times for the dedicated BSO Call Line, stemming from SSA's current management information data. We will
continue to consult our management information data on call wait times to ensure we report updated figures when possible.
*** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the information collection.

12. Universal Benefits Application (UBA)--20 CFR 20 CFR 404.704;
404.1512, 416.200, 416.912, and 422.510--0960-NEW.

Background

Individuals who want to apply for Social Security benefits
electronically must currently use SSA's internet-based iClaim
application (OMB No. 0960-0618) to do so. While the iClaim online
application platform is widely used and has received positive feedback
over the years, it has several limitations. iClaim is built on a 20-
year-old platform which no longer meets National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST) minimum systems requirements, limiting SSA's
ability to continue to technologically support and update this
platform. In addition, in some circumstances iClaim is not actually a
fully electronic application method: some respondents using iClaim may
also need to manually submit supplementary documentation (by mail or
via the Upload Documents portal, OMB No. 0960-0830) when an SSA
technician who has reviewed their application requests additional
information. This process can be lengthy for respondents, as it
requires them to both submit an application through iClaim and to wait
for a technician to identify the documents or forms they need to
complete, some of which may be available online through Upload
Documents, and a few of which are only available as paper forms.
To improve the benefits filing process, offer a more efficient
online experience, and align the online benefits application with
current NIST standards, SSA is implementing the Universal Benefits
Application (UBA) platform, a common platform that will allow
individuals with different application needs to use one website to
complete their benefit applications online.

Universal Benefits Application (UBA)

UBA is a single website offering a more effective and ``smart''
online process that navigates individuals directly to the benefit
applications and supplemental forms they need to submit electronically
to SSA, after which an SSA technician supports (if needed) the
individuals through the development process to achieve a better
customer experience. UBA also unifies several capabilities to create a
seamless experience utilizing <a href="http://SSA.gov">SSA.gov</a>, my Social Security, UBA, and
electronic signatures. In addition, UBA will offer enhanced
functionality not offered by iClaim, through allowing respondents to
both complete all necessary benefits applications through one platform
and also provide the capability for respondents to upload associated
evidence and other documentation through the same portal prior to
submission of the benefits application(s). We will be releasing UBA on
a multiple-phase basis, with additional benefit application types being
added on an iterative basis. This initial clearance is for the UBA
concept website and for its initial applications, the Lump-Sum Death
Payment (OMB No. 0960-0013), and the Retirement Insurance Benefits (OMB
No. 0960-0618).
While UBA works similarly to iClaim in some respects, it represents
a more technologically advanced, efficient process in multiple ways:
(A) Smart Pathing. In contrast to iClaim's dynamic pathing process,
UBA uses an enhanced form of dynamic pathing called ``smart pathing.''
While dynamic pathing only presents relevant questions to the user
(e.g., individuals indicating that they have never been married, are
not presented with questions about marriage), smart pathing goes even
further by automatically incorporating information we already have
(either from earlier questions or from our records).
(B) Leveraging Existing Information. UBA is unique in that it will
fully leverage existing information within SSA's internal records. This
contrasts with iClaim in two ways. First, it saves respondents time
from completing any information UBA can already access from their
records. Second, it will ensure respondents are not asked any questions
for which we already have information on their records.
(C) Scope of Included Applications. While iClaim only covers a
limited number of SSA's benefit-related applications,\1\ UBA will
ultimately allow respondents to access all of SSA's benefits
applications, as well as other associated information collections which
they may need to submit as part of the benefits application process
(e.g., SSA-3369-BK, Work History Report). For those associated
information collections which currently have either no, or limited,
electronic submission options, SSA will convert them to internet-based,
smart pathing applications to make them available through the UBA
platform.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ Specifically iClaim encompasses the following information
collections: OMB No. 0960-0618: SSA-1, Application for Retirement
Benefits; SSA-2, Application for Wife's or Husband's Insurance
Benefits; SSA-16, Application for Disability Insurance Benefits; OMB
No. 0960-0444: SSA-8001, Application for Supplemental Security
Income; OMB No. 0960-0623: SSA-827, Authorization to Disclose
Information to the Social Security Administration; OMB No. 0960-
0144: SSA-3441, Disability Report Appeal; and OMB No. 0960-0579:
SSA-3368, Disability Report--Adult.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(D) Ability to Upload Additional Evidence or Information. iClaim
only allows for the electronic completion and submission of an
application, but respondents must submit required supplementary
evidence or information they are later asked for either via mail, in
person at a field office, or by using a separate online platform,
Upload Docs. In contrast, when its full functionality is ultimately
realized, UBA will allow respondents to upload additional evidence
through the

[[Page 60684]]

platform, ensuring respondents can use the same platform for all
necessary transactions related to benefits applications. In this way,
UBA will provide a better, more efficient, and faster experience than
our current processes (including iClaim).

How To Access and Use UBA

(A) Respondents can access UBA through the ``Apply for Benefits''
link from our main website, <a href="http://SSA.gov">SSA.gov</a>, or through their my Social
Security accounts.
(B) Per the requirements of E.O. 14058, respondents must use a
secured portal to submit benefits information to SSA online. Therefore,
respondents first authenticate themselves using the agency's eAccess
authentication tool (OMB No. 0960-0789), which then navigates them to
<a href="http://Login.gov">Login.gov</a> or ID.me. The latter portals identity-proof the individuals
so they can securely submit their benefits requests to SSA through UBA.
(C) Once the respondents complete the authentication and identity-
proofing process, the system directs them back to the main UBA
information page that explains how the UBA online process works,
including the information we will ask, who can apply, how long it will
take to complete the application, and the Terms of Service. Since
respondents filing via UBA will already be authenticated at this point,
the core identity information they provided during the authentication
process will automatically propagate into the UBA path, so individuals
do not need to re-enter that information.
(D) After respondents read the necessary information, UBA presents
respondents with a short screener tool which helps navigate them to the
correct benefits application(s) to complete. The screener tool helps
determine the type of benefits for which individuals are eligible, and
whether they meet the criteria to file online. If the individuals do
not meet the criteria to apply online, the SSA screener routes them to
the Appointment Scheduling Calendar (OMB No. 0960-0828) or directs them
to the National 800 Number to schedule an in-person appointment. The
screener routes those respondents who can use the online platform to
the appropriate benefits application(s) for completion. The benefits
applications behind the UBA platform all use the same smart pathing
process as the screener, making the process of completing the benefits
application(s) easier for the respondents.
(E) After individuals answer the questions for both their specific
benefit application and supplemental forms (if needed), they can then
review a summary of their responses, electronically sign, and submit
their application. Individuals also have an opportunity to view and
print the benefit application summary and a receipt for their records.
Once the respondent approves the application summary, UBA allows them
to upload evidence or other documentation prior to electronically
signing and submitting their UBA application. Although UBA does not
currently allow respondents to submit supporting or supplementary
documentation after they sign and submit their applications, SSA allows
respondents to use other means, including Upload Documents (OMB No.
0960-0830), to submit documentation after a UBA submission. Ultimately,
UBA will allow offer this functionality.
Note: SSA uses various forms of communication to inform the public
of the programs we administer, and our outreach efforts include social
media, digital services, print and television advertisements, and aid
from community partners who provide information to the public. We are
using all these communication pathways to inform the public and
encourage them to try the new UBA platform. For those respondents who
do not wish to file online using UBA (or iClaim), SSA maintains our
other options for filing the benefits applications (e.g., in person/
telephone interviews, paper forms, Upload Documents submissions, etc.).
SSA representatives in field offices and teleservice centers are
available to assist individuals throughout the benefit application
process using these other methods.
At this time, individuals can access the SSA-8, Lump Sum Death
Payment (LSDP) (OMB No. 0960-0013), and the Retirement Insurance
Benefits (RIB) Application, SSA-1 (OMB No. 0960-0618). We will continue
to roll out additional new benefit applications behind the UBA portal
beyond these two initial applications on a rolling basis. Respondents
will complete all of the applications we add to the UBA portal using
the smart pathing methodology. Eventually, the UBA portal will replace
iClaim and add additional types of benefit applications to this new
cloud-based platform. The respondents are authenticated individuals
filing for their own benefits who choose to use the internet, and
specifically UBA, to conduct business with SSA. The initial releases
only allow authenticated non-disabled individuals filing for their own
benefits (i.e., first-party) to access UBA. Third parties are not able
to access the UBA at this time.
Type of Request: Request for a new information collection already
in use.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Total annual
Method of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost opportunity cost
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount (dollars) ****
(dollars) ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UBA Informational Screens and Screener Questions 2,223,305 1 7 259,386 * $33.54 ** $8,699,806
\+\.............................................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\+\ After authenticating, respondents will need to read information regarding the UBA application, including the Terms of Service, then they will
complete a screener to help navigate to the appropriate benefit application.
* We based this figure on an average U.S. citizen's hourly salary ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
Wage Statistics).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the information collection.

Mark Steffensen,
General Counsel, Chief of Law, Policy and Legislative Affairs, Social
Security Administration.

[[Page 60685]]

[FR Doc. 2026-19573 Filed 9-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P

</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>

View on FederalRegister.gov →Plain-text source

Indexed from Federal Register on September 24, 2026.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.