Basic (12-10)

NL 01001.001 Introduction to Special Notice Options for the Blind or Visually Impaired

The special notice options for the blind or visually impaired are commonly referred to using the acronym SNO.

The special notice options allow persons who are blind or visually impaired to receive notices and other communications (e.g., pamphlets) from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Disability Determination Services (DDS) in formats other than standard print.

The special notice options apply to title II and title XVI notices and other communications that are sent to:

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  applicants,

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  beneficiaries,

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  recipients, and

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  representative payees who are blind or visually impaired.

The special notice options are not available for the following notice types:

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  passwords to access online services,

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  form SSA-7005 (Social Security statements),

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  enumeration (requests for new or replacement Social Security numbers),

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  Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and

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  title VIII (Special Veteran’s Benefits).