Filing For Social Security: An Electric Guide

how to electric file for social security

If you're looking to file for Social Security benefits, you can do so electronically through the Social Security Administration's Electronic Records Express (ERE) initiative. This free, secure website allows you to transfer individual or multiple patient or student records online, and you can also use a fax machine. The ERE website supports various file formats, including .doc, .wpd, .zip, .jpg, .bmp, .txt, .xls, .pdf, .tiff, .tif, .docx, .mdi, .rtf, and .xlsx. To ensure compatibility, it's recommended to enable JavaScript in your browser settings. Additionally, you can create an account to view your Social Security Statement online and proceed with your application.

Characteristics Values
Name of the initiative Electronic Records Express
Purpose To offer electronic options for submitting health and school records related to disability claims
Options Online via Social Security's secure website, by fax, or by mail
Website options Individual Patient or Student Records, Multiple Patient or Student Records
File formats .doc, .wpd, .zip, .jpg, .bmp, .txt, .xls, .pdf, .tiff, .tif, .docx, .mdi, .rtf, and .xlsx
Cost Free
Help Social Security Electronic Records Express Help Desk at 1-866-691-3061, Monday to Friday, 7 am-5:30 pm EST
Email [email protected]
Security Restricted access with user ID and password
Compatibility May not be compatible with all internet browsers
Recommended settings Enable JavaScript
Official website Use .gov domain
Appointment Schedule an appointment before visiting an office
Documents Include Social Security number, but do not write on original documents

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Electronic Records Express

When you receive a request for health or school records, or other information about a person who has applied for Social Security disability benefits, you can choose the method of sending the information that works best for you. The records you send are automatically associated with the applicant's unique disability claim folder.

The Electronic Records Express options are online via Social Security's secure website or by fax. Social Security's Secure Website allows you to transfer individual patient or student records online using your Internet connection. You can also send batches of multiple patient or student records online in a single operation using a scanner and your Internet connection. The fax option allows you to send records at any time of day or night. All Electronic Records Express options are free of charge, and you may save time and money by transmitting your records electronically.

To have an ERE account created, call the Social Security Electronic Records Express Help Desk at 1-866-691-3061. This number is staffed from 7am–5:30pm EST, Monday through Friday. After-hours questions about new ERE account registration may be emailed to [email protected].

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Online via a secure website

If you want to file for social security online, you can do so via the Social Security Administration's secure website. This is a free service. The website has restricted access, and only authorized users can access the secure website by using their assigned user ID and password.

To get started, you will need to create an account and sign in. You can then view your Social Security Statement online. You will be asked to provide information such as:

  • Whether you have a record of your earnings or if they are correct.
  • The beginning and ending dates of any active US military service before 1968.
  • Whether you became unable to work due to illnesses, injuries, or conditions within the past 14 months.
  • Whether you or your spouse have worked in the railroad industry.
  • Whether you have earned Social Security credits under another country's social security system.
  • Whether you qualified for or expect to receive a pension or annuity based on your employment with the Federal government of the United States or one of its states or local subdivisions.

If you are submitting health or school records related to a disability claim, you can use the Electronic Records Express website. This allows you to transfer records online using your internet connection. You can submit records at your convenience, and you can send batches of records in a single operation using a scanner.

The website supports commonly used browsers such as Internet Explorer for Windows, Firefox for Windows and Mac, Safari for Windows and Mac, and Chrome for Windows and Mac. It is recommended that your browser has JavaScript enabled in your browser's preferences. If you experience technical difficulties, you should first check the security or preference settings for your browser. If you need further assistance, you can call the Social Security Electronic Records Express Help Desk at 1-866-691-3061.

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Sending health and school records

When filing for social security, health and school records can be sent electronically through the Social Security Administration's Electronic Records Express (ERE) website or by fax. This is a free service with no out-of-pocket costs.

The ERE website allows you to transfer individual or multiple patient/student records online using your internet connection. Multiple records can also be sent in a single operation using a scanner. The website has restricted access, and only authorized users can access it using their assigned user ID and password. Data transmission is protected by 128-bit or higher secure socket layer (SSL) encryption.

To send records through the ERE website, you can refer to the online instructions by clicking on the "User Instructions" link in the upper right corner of the ERE website pages. You will need to ensure that you have given informed consent for your records to be sent electronically. Form SSA-827, which accompanies every request for health and school records from Social Security, contains language that specifically permits electronic processing.

If you encounter any issues or have questions about the process, you can contact the Social Security Electronic Records Express Help Desk at 1-866-691-3061 or send an email to [email protected]. This phone line is staffed from 7 AM to 5:30 PM EST, Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local hearing office or Professional Relations Officer for assistance.

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File formats

To ensure that your electronic file submission is successfully processed, there are specific file formats that must be adhered to. For instance, if you are submitting wage data files electronically, you must follow the Social Security Administration's (SSA) electronic filing format standards (EFW2 / EFW2C). The EFW2 format is used for submitting annual Form W-2 Copy A (Wage and Tax Statement W-2) data, while the EFW2C format is for Form W-2C Copy A (Corrected Wage and Tax Statement W-2C) data. These formats are outlined in detail in the EFW2 and EFW2C publications.

In the case of SSN verification, the submission file must be a text file (.txt) with no record delimiters. This means that there should be no commas or other characters placed after any field. Additionally, if a field marked "May not be left blank" is empty, it will automatically be considered a non-verified record. To facilitate the sorting of the return file, a unique identifier for each record can be created using the User Control Data field.

When submitting documents through the Electronic Records Express (ERE) system, uploaded documents undergo a virus scan and are converted to a Tagged Image Format file to conform to the Social Security Administration's storage format. It is recommended to allow up to 24 hours for processing, although website submissions are typically processed within a few hours under normal circumstances.

It is important to note that the Electronic Records Express website may not be compatible with all internet browsers due to compliance with Social Security Administration requirements and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act standards. For the best experience when filling out and submitting PDFs, it is recommended to use Adobe Reader instead of a web browser.

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Scheduling ERE outages

To stay informed about scheduled ERE outages, you can subscribe to the ERE GovDelivery services on the Social Security Administration's ERE internet website. This will ensure that you are notified in advance of any planned outages and can plan your use of the system accordingly.

The ERE GovDelivery services can be found on the Social Security Online: Electronic Records Express website. Here, you can register to receive updates about any upcoming ERE outages that may impact your access to the system. By subscribing to this service, you can proactively manage your use of the system and ensure that you are not caught off guard by unexpected outages.

Alternatively, you can subscribe to notifications by clicking on the red envelope icon located on the Bulletin Board of the ERE website's homepage. This icon is easily identifiable and provides a quick and convenient way to stay informed about scheduled ERE outages.

Staying informed about scheduled ERE outages is important to ensure uninterrupted access to the system. By subscribing to the ERE GovDelivery services or utilizing the notification feature on the ERE website, you can be proactive in managing your use of the system and minimize any potential disruptions. These services are designed to keep users informed and empowered, enabling them to plan their activities effectively and make the most of the electronic services offered by the Social Security Administration.

Frequently asked questions

You can submit records online via the Social Security website or by fax.

The website accepts at least one of the following file formats: .doc, .wpd, .zip, .jpg, .bmp, .txt, .xls, .pdf, .tiff, .tif, .docx, .mdi, .rtf, and .xlsx.

The website has restricted access. Only authorized users can access the website using their assigned user ID and password.

If it has been more than 48 hours and you have not received an email, request the documents again. Files are retained for seven days.

You can call the Social Security Electronic Records Express Help Desk at 1-866-691-3061. This number is staffed from 7am–5:30pm EST, Monday to Friday.

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