Effective Dates: 02/18/2025 - Present Previous | Next

TN 12 (02-25)

NL 01001.410 Responding to Requests to Read Notices to People with Blindness or Visual Impairments

The instructions in this section apply to unsolicited requests to read a notice. These instructions do not apply to follow-up phone calls made for the special notice option (SNO) of “Standard Print Notice by First Class Mail and a Follow-up Telephone Call.” For those instructions, see NL 01001.110 Procedure for First Class Mail and a Follow-up Telephone Call Special Notice Option (SNO) People with Blindness or Visual Impairments.

A. How do I respond to a request to read a notice?

If a person contacts us and asks you to read or explain a notice, follow disclosure procedures in GN 03380.010 Verifying Identity of Individuals Requesting Disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

  1. 1. 

    If you can disclose the notice information to the person:

    • •

      read or explain the notice to the person as requested; and

      NOTE: You can access copies of most notices electronically, i.e., through the Online Retrieval System (ORS), Evidence Portal (EP), or eView. If the notice is not available online, National 800 Number Network (N8NN) agents may send a Modernized Development Worksheet referral for Title II, Title XVI non-MSSICS (Modernized Supplemental Security Income Claims System), concurrent Title II and Title XVI cases, or Development Worksheet referral for Consolidated Claims Experience (CCE) cases to the servicing field office to request the notice be read.

    • •

      verify that the person’s record accurately reflects the current SNO. If not, take action to correct the record(s) per NL 01001.020, How to Access and Complete the Intranet Special Notice Option (iSNO) Application.

  2. 2. 

    If identity or disclosure requirements are not met, handle the interview like any other request for information from a person’s record.

B. How do I respond to a request to read a publication that was enclosed with a notice?

If a blind or visually impaired person asks you to read a publication that was enclosed with a notice, determine if the person has Internet access and if the publication is available online.

  1. 1. 

    If the person has Internet access and the publication is available in audio:

    • •

      advise the person that they can listen to the publication immediately on our website; and

    • •

      give the person the appropriate English or Spanish website.

  2. 2. 

    If the person has Internet access and Screen Reader or Screen Magnifier software and wishes to access our publications via the Internet:

  3. 3. 

    If the person does not have Internet access, the publication is not available online, or the person requests the information be read for any reason, read the publication to the person.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0901001410
NL 01001.410 - Responding to Requests to Read Notices to People with Blindness or Visual Impairments - 02/18/2025
Batch run: 02/19/2025
Rev:02/18/2025