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OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 202609-0960-019
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: SSA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Universal Benefit Application (UBA)
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 09/30/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved
Responses	2,223,305	0
Time Burden (Hours)	741,102	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

Abstract: Individuals who want to apply for Social Security benefits electronically must currently use SSA’s Internet-based iClaim application (OMB No. 0960-0618) to do so. While the iClaim online application platform is widely used and has received positive feedback over the years, it has several limitations. iClaim is built on a 20-year-old platform which no longer meets National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) minimum systems requirements, limiting SSA’s ability to continue to technologically support and update this platform. In addition, in some circumstances iClaim is not actually a fully electronic application method: some respondents using iClaim may also need to manually submit supplementary documentation (by mail or via the Upload Documents portal, OMB No. 0960-0830) when an SSA technician who has reviewed their application requests additional information. This process can be lengthy for respondents, as it requires them to both submit an application through iClaim and to wait for a technician to identify the documents or forms they need to complete, some of which may be available online through Upload Documents, and a few of which are only available as paper forms. To improve the benefits filing process, offer a more efficient online experience, and align the online benefits application with current NIST standards, SSA is implementing the Universal Benefits Application (UBA) platform, a common platform that will allow individuals with different application needs to use one website to complete their benefit applications online. UBA is a single website offering a more effective and ‘‘smart’’ online process that navigates individuals directly to the benefit applications and supplemental forms they need to submit electronically to SSA, after which an SSA technician supports (if needed) the individuals through the development process to achieve a better customer experience. UBA also unifies several capabilities to create a seamless experience utilizing SSA.gov, my Social Security, UBA, and electronic signatures. In addition, UBA will offer enhanced functionality not offered by iClaim, through allowing respondents to both complete all necessary benefits applications through one platform and also provide the capability for respondents to upload associated evidence and other documentation through the same portal prior to submission of the benefits application(s). We will be releasing UBA on a multiple-phase basis, with additional benefit application types being added on an iterative basis. This initial clearance is for the UBA concept website and for its initial applications, the Lump-Sum Death Payment (OMB No. 0960-0013), and the Retirement Insurance Benefits (OMB No. 0960-0618). While UBA works similarly to iClaim in some respects, it represents a more technologically advanced, efficient process in multiple ways: (A) Smart Pathing. In contrast to iClaim’s dynamic pathing process, UBA uses an enhanced form of dynamic pathing called ‘‘smart pathing’’ which automatically incorporates information we already have (either from earlier questions or from our records); (B) Leveraging Existing Information. UBA is unique in that it will fully leverage existing information within SSA’s internal records, saving respondents time and ensuring respondents are not asked any questions for which we already have information on their records; C) Scope of Included Applications. UBA will ultimately allow respondents to access all of SSA’s benefits applications, as well as other associated information collections which SSA will convert to electronic applications through UBA; D) Ability to Upload Additional Evidence or information: UBA will allow respondents to upload additional evidence through the platform, ensuring respondents can use the same platform for all necessary transactions related to benefits applications. Respondents are authenticated individuals filing for their own benefits through UBA.

Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 30774	05/26/2026
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 60677	09/24/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
UBA Informational Screens and Screener Questions

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Change Due to Agency Discretion
Annual Number of Responses	2,223,305	2,223,305
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	741,102	741,102
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new information collection that increases the public reporting burden in the short term. See #12 above for the new burden figures. Ultimately this will reduce burden, as the respondents who use UBA would presumably have used different, more time-consuming methods such as iClaim, paper, or in-person field office visits to submit the same information. *Note: The total burden reflected in ROCIS is 741,102, while the burden cited in #12 of the Supporting Statement is 259,386. This discrepancy is because the ROCIS burden also reflects the learning cost burden. In contrast, the chart in #12 above reflects actual burden.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $30,274,227

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Faye Lipsky 410 965-8783 faye.lipsky@ssa.gov

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