PolicyNet/Instructions Updates/EM-26003: Updates to Form SSA-820-BK

Effective Dates: 02/17/2026 - Present

Identification Number:	EM-26003
Intended Audience:	All RCs/ARCs/ADs/FOs/TSCs/PSCs/OCO/OCO-CSTs/OHO/OARO
Originating Office:	ISP ES
Title:	Updates to Form SSA-820-BK
Type:	EM - Emergency Messages
Program:	Title XVI (SSI); Disability
Link To Reference:	See Reference at the end of this EM.

Retention Date: 08/16/2026

A. Purpose

This EM is to inform you about updates to form SSA-820-BK (Work Activity Report - Self-Employment). You can access the new SSA-820-BK via inForms. You may also access a link to the form on the eWork Home Page Message Board. The form will be available in UniForms in July.

B. Background

We received feedback from advocates and technicians stating that form SSA-820-BK is too complicated and that this prevents applicants and beneficiaries from fully completing and in many cases returning the form. To address these concerns, we updated and streamlined the form. We clarified why we are asking for information and how work incentives may reduce their countable income and impact their eligibility for benefits. This information helps technicians make accurate eligibility determinations. We also updated certain fields to make it compatible with the Upload Docs workflow.

C. Policy

Technicians use the form SSA-820-BK to obtain the individual’s work activity and work incentives information prior to making a substantial gainful activity (SGA) determination for initial claims, appeals, expedited reinstatements, and work continuing disability review (CDR) cases.

D. Changes to Form SSA-820-BK

Below is a list of some of the changes to the form along with a brief explanation of the change.

Cover letter

Removed the prefilled “Please tell us about your work since” sentence to be compatible with Upload Docs. Technicians may prefill the date on page 4, when appropriate. If the date is not prefilled, we request the information covering the past two years. Individuals may receive a blank form, for instance, Upload Docs does not support prefilled form information.

Added the types of information requested, examples of different types of self-employment, the reasons for requesting it, how the information will be used, and a definition of work incentives.

Employee Identification Section

Added the option “or SSN” for when the form is completed by the applicant or beneficiary.

Self-Employment Information Section

Question 2

Replaced the chart to report “other types of income” with a remarks section.

Question 3

Added new categories of employment, such as “Gig Work.” This includes ride share services, food delivery services, and internet content creator.

Added “Reason Work Ended” (if applicable)” with the choices of “Because of my disability” or “Other reason(s)” to aide in Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA) development.

altogether when they reach this.

Question 4

Removed the monthly earnings table. Individuals often skipped this section or stopped completing the form

Added table for estimates of expected income.

Work Incentives Information Section

Question 6 (UWA)

Changed the wording of this question to clarify why we are asking for this information and how providing it may help them.

Added the yes and no format to negate the need for a negative reply later in the question.

Question 7 (Impairment Related Work Expenses)

Clarified why we are asking for this information and how providing it may help the applicant/beneficiary.

Added language clarifying possible reimbursement choices for the expense will reduce pre-completion contact or the collection of misinformation. We added a ‘Continuing’ cost indicator to tell us about recurring expenses.

References:

DI 10510.025 Documenting Employment Cases Using Forms SSA-820-BK (Work Activity Report - Employee) and SSA-823 (Report of SGA Determination - For SSA Use Only)

DI 10505.005 Determining and Verifying Gross Earnings from Employment

EM-26003 - Updates to Form SSA-820-BK - 02/17/2026

Emergency Message