Form SSA-827 is required as part of the application process for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. The SSA will contact medical providers and other institutions to gather evidence needed for evaluating the claim.Because the SSA-827 expires after 12 months, and because some agencies require individual authorization, an applicant may need to submit the form more than once.^[1] It is required for the following purposes:

1. Determining an applicant’s eligibility to enroll in disability programs
2. Renewing an applicant’s eligibility for disability programs
3. Assessing an applicant’s capability of managing benefits

Representative Payment Program

In some cases, SSA-827 is used not to evaluate benefits eligibility but to assess a beneficiary’s ability to manage the payments. If the SSA finds that the beneficiary cannot manage their benefits payments independently, they will appoint a representative payee to collect and administer payments on the beneficiary’s behalf.^[2] The payee is generally a trusted friend, family member, or organization.

By signing Form SSA-827, an applicant grants the SSA permission to review personal records pertinent to their disability claim. The SSA reviews information about an applicant’s health, their inability to sustain work, and how their daily tasks are impacted by their disability. This includes:

• All medical records — treatment, hospitalization, and outpatient care; mental health information; genetic and other testing; substance abuse history
• Education records — copies of tests or evaluations; teacher’s observations
• Other information — relevant information regarding work and daily activities

In addition to past records, the SSA will be able to access information created after the date of signature for as long as the authorization is valid.

The claimant or a parent, guardian, or personal representative can fill out the SSA-827. The witness signatures are optional.^[3] Once completed, mail or deliver the form to a local Social Security office.

The person releasing their information must provide their full legal name, social security number, and date of birth on the top right of the form.

The form describes the information the authorization covers, including medical files, work-related documents, and records from educational institutions.

The authorization gives the SSA permission to access information from medical sources, educational sources, social workers, employers, family, acquaintances, and other relevant parties.

In addition to the SSA, the state agency processing the case will have access to the files released.

Usually, Form SSA-827 is collected as part of the benefits application process. It is also used when the SSA evaluates whether a benefits recipient can manage their payments independently. The person preparing the form should check the box in this section if the authorization is only for determining the recipient’s capability of managing benefits.

The authorization is valid for 12 months from the date the form is signed, unless it is revoked.

The individual authorizing disclosure of their records must sign the form in blue or black ink unless someone else is assigned signing authority on their behalf.

If the subject of the disclosure is not signing the form, the person signing must select the appropriate box to indicate whether they are a parent, guardian, or other personal representative.

The form must be dated to initiate the authorization.

The person releasing releasing information should provide their phone number and address.

One or two witnesses may sign the form and provide their phone number(s) or address(es), although witness signatures are not required by federal law.

The second page of the form includes a detailed explanation of the authorization process, a privacy act statement, and other legal information.