Effective Dates: 06/12/2024 - Present

Identification Number:
EM-23054 REV
Intended Audience:All RCs/ARCs/ADs/FOs/PSCs/OCO/OCO-CSTs
Originating Office:DCO OEST
Title:Removal of the Signature Requirement on the SSA-455 CDR Mailer Forms
Type:EM - Emergency Messages
Program:Title II (RSI); Title VIII (SVB)
Link To Reference:See References at the end of the EM
 
Retention Date: 12/12/2024

This EM replaces a prior version issued on August 21, 2023. This revision informs you of an additional update to the SSA-455 CDR Mailer forms.

Section B: Revised the background to inform technicians that the SSA-455-OCR-SM form has been updated, and to include an additional revision that was made to the form.

Section C: Updated the overview to notify technicians where they can access the latest version of the form.

A. Purpose
This emergency message (EM) notifies technicians that we no longer require a signature on any version of the SSA-455 Disability Update Report, including the SSA-455-OCR-SM scannable mailer which recipients return to the Wilkes-Barre Direct Operations Center (WBDOC).

    B. Background
    SSA recently received OMB approval to discontinue the requirement for a signature on all versions of the CDR Mailer form (SSA-455, SSA-455-OCR-SM, and SSA-455-APP).

    The SSA-455-OCR-SM has now been updated to remove the signature box. In addition, the SSN/Claim Number has been replaced with the Beneficiary Notice Control (BNC) Number.

    C. Overview
    Effective immediately, if a completed but unsigned SSA-455 or SSA-455-OCR-SM is received in the Field Office (FO), Processing Center (PC), or WBDOC, do not develop for a signature. Technicians should discontinue development for signatures on any version of the SSA-455 and process the form.

    The contractor who mails out the SSA-455-OCR-SM will begin mailing the latest version of the form in June 2024. The latest version of the form SSA-455 is available in the     inForm Library.

    Direct all program-related and technical questions to your Regional Office (RO) support staff using vHelp or Program Service Center (PSC) Operations Analysis (OA) staff. RO support staff or PSC OA staff may refer questions, concerns, or problems to their Central Office contacts.

    References
    DI 13004.005 An Overview of Processing Continuing Disability Review (CDR) Mailer Forms SSA-455 and SSA-455-OCR-SM
    DI 28001.003 An Overview of Processing Continuing Disability Review (CDR) Mailer Forms SSA-455 and SSA-455-OCR-SM
    DI 40502.001 Processing Center Instructions for the Continuing Disability Review Mailer Forms SSA-455 and SSA-455-OCR-SM


    EM-23054 REV - Removal of the Signature Requirement on the SSA-455 CDR Mailer Forms - 06/12/2024