Generally, title II and title XVI claimants, beneficiaries, recipients, and representative payees who are blind or visually impaired may request a special notice option. For the purpose of this provision, a blind or visually impaired person includes:

1. 1. 

   legally competent blind or visually impaired adults;

2. 2. 

   legally competent blind or visually impaired children who have attained age 18; and

3. 3. 

   blind or visually impaired children, age 15-17, who receive direct payment of title II or title XVI benefits. (See Program Operations Manual System (POMS) GN 00502.001C and GN 00502.070 for more information on direct payment and capability of minor children.)

When a blind or visually impaired person, as described in section A, requests a SNO, he or she may elect to receive notices from SSA in English or Spanish in one of the following ways:

1. 1. 

   Standard print notice by certified mail.

2. 2. 

   Standard print notice by first class mail and a follow-up telephone call to read the notice within 5 business days from the date of the notice.

3. 3. 

   Braille notice and a standard print notice by first class mail.

4. 4. 

   Data Compact Disc (CD) in Microsoft Word format and a standard print notice by first class mail.

   NOTE: 

   The data CD requires a computer with software that can open Microsoft Word documents.

5. 5. 

   Large print notice (18 point font) and a standard print notice by first class mail.

6. 6. 

   Audio CD and a standard print notice by first class mail.

Title II and title XVI claimants, beneficiaries, recipients, and representative payees who are blind or visually impaired may request an alternative accommodation to those noted above. SSA's Office of the General Counsel (OGC) decides whether to approve these requests on a case-by-case basis. For more information, see POMS NL 01001.300.

Generally, the field office (FO), the Disability Determination Services (DDS), or hearing office (HO) will assist a blind or visually impaired person in selecting a special notice option.

If a branch receives an inquiry from a blind or visually impaired person who has not selected a SNO, or who wishes to change a previously selected option, an AC analyst will contact the person to offer and determine the desired option. For specific instructions on how to establish or update a SNO selection, refer to the Special Notice Option for Blind or Visually Impaired Claimants or Representative Payees User Guide and General Instructions found in Practices and Applications (PANDA) section 6.

Process these cases using the procedures in the Special Notice Option (SNO) for Blind or Visually Impaired Claimants or Representative Payees User Guide and General Instructions in PANDA section 6.