article SSA Online Services: A How-To Guide

My Social Security Account

Overview

SSA’s my Social Security is a free and secure online account that enables anyone with a Social Security Number (SSN) to access personalized information and services.

Eligibility and Access

• Representatives can assist an applicant or beneficiary in creating or logging in to their account but should not access it without the individual present.
• For more information and to set up/log in to an account, please visit my Social Security.
• Review the SOAR resource, Creating a my Social Security Account Flowchart.

Key Uses

• Request a replacement Social Security card or view a Social Security Statement.
• Receive personalized retirement or spousal benefit estimates and determine insured status for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI).
• Initiate an SSDI application, set a Protective Filing Date, and check the status of a pending application.
• Set up or change direct deposit, print a benefit verification letter, update an address, and more.

Overview

ARS is a suite of online services for individuals who serve as SSA-1696 Appointed Representatives for disability benefit claimants and appellants.

Appointed Representative Rep ID

Eligibility and Access

• Anyone who serves as an Appointed Representative for disability claimants must register as a Representative by faxing the SSA-1699: Representative Registration form to 1-877-268-3827. (Read more about Representative Registration).
• Representatives who do not request direct payment of authorized fees (i.e., SOAR providers) are encouraged to review this annotated SSA-1699 form for guidance on completion.

Key Uses

• The Appointed Representative Rep ID is required for the SSA-1696. The Rep ID helps SSA with a streamlined process for adding the representative to the claim in their electronic system. 
• This helps to ensure that SSA and the state Disability Determination Services (DDS) are aware of who is serving as the representative and should get copies of notices sent to the claimant.

Appeals and Appointed Representative Processing Services (AARPS) Portal

Eligibility and Access

• Representatives who have an Appointed Representative Rep ID can register with the AARPS portal. 
• To use AARPS, representatives must be in good standing, registered as an Appointed Representative, and have an active or past association with a claimant. 
• Representatives will need a Login.gov or ID.me account to access the AARPS portal. If they do not have one of these accounts, they will be prompted to create one. 

Key Uses

• AARPS allows representatives to view their current claimant appointments, check the status of their claims and appeals, and create and print reports of selected appointments. There are additional features for business and fee payment information that will not apply to SOAR providers. 

Electronic Folder (eFolder)

Eligibility and Access

• Representatives who have assisted with at least one Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing (or higher level of appeal) can obtain eFolder access for all disability claims they assist with.
• Only those listed as the primary representative on the SSA-1696 can access a claimant’s eFolder.
• Representatives that assist with ALJ appeals and do not request direct pay (e.g., SOAR providers) are not required to enroll in ARS for eFolder access but are still encouraged to do so.
• Providers that only represent disability claims at the initial or reconsideration levels are not eligible to receive eFolder access. 
• Read more about ARS and enrolling in eFolder access.

Key Uses

• eFolder access gives representatives up-to-date access to a disability claimant’s eFolder for disability claims pending at the initial, reconsideration, hearing, and Appeals Council levels.
• Representatives can upload medical evidence and other documents (e.g., SOAR Medical Summary Report) into the eFolder and download eFolder contents (e.g., listings and status reports with key information regarding pending and recently closed claims).

Overview

ERE is an online service that provides electronic options for submitting medical and school records related to disability claims to SSA and DDS.   
 

Eligibility and Access

• Medical providers (e.g., hospitals, clinics, etc.), school professionals, and third-party representatives (such as SOAR providers) are eligible to enroll in ERE.
• To enroll in ERE, call the Electronic Records Express Help Desk at 1-866-691-3061, email ERE, or contact your state’s designated DDS point of contact to obtain ERE access.
• ARS users with eFolder access will automatically have access to ERE and do not need to register for ERE separately.
• Read more about ERE.

Key Uses

• ERE allows representatives to send medical records, school records, and other documents (such as the SOAR Medical Summary Report) directly to SSA and DDS.
• Submitting records electronically helps expedite the disability review process and saves copying and postage costs.
• ERE does not allow representatives to access, view, or download the contents of a disability claimant’s eFolder. 

Overview

Secure email partnerships establish Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption between a representative and SSA’s email domains. 

Eligibility and Access

• Eligibility and access to secure email partnerships will vary by state and by local SSA field office.
• To request a secure email partnership with SSA, contact your designated local SSA field office point of contact or your SSA Regional Public Affairs Office.

Key Uses

• These partnerships allow representatives to securely email case-specific documents and other information about a disability claimant to SSA and DDS.
• This enables more efficient communication between the representative and SSA while protecting the disability claimant’s privacy.