SSA Acronyms, Abbreviations, & Glossary of Key Terms

This page identifies many of the common abbreviations and key terms the Social Security Administration uses in Social Security Disability claims, including Title II (Social Security Disability Insurance) and Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income).

Because SSA frequently relies on shorthand language and technical terminology in notices, forms, and decisions, this reference is designed to help claimants better understand the words and phrases that commonly appear throughout the disability process.

Social Security Acronyms and Abbreviations

A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M • N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z

A
AACT	Abbreviated Account query – Title II
AAJ	Administrative Appeals Judge – AC adjudicator
AC	Appeals Council
ACE	Average Current Earnings – factor used in WC offset calculation
ADL	Activities of Daily Living
AI	Aged Individual – Title XVI
ALJ	Administrative Law Judge
AME	Agreed Medical Examiner – WC term
AOD	Alleged Onset of Disability or Alleged Onset Date
AR	Acquiescence Ruling
AUSA	Assistant U.S. Attorney

B
BHA	Bureau of Hearing and Appeals – former name of ODAR
BO	Branch Office – sub-office of a DO
BWO	Blind Work Expenses

C
CAB	Civil Actions Branch of AC
CALJ	Chief ALJ
CDB	Childhood Disability Benefits – Title II
CE	Consultative Examination or Examiner / Consultative Examination
CFR	Code of Federal Regulations
CIB	Child’s Insurance Benefits – Title II
COBRA	Comprehensive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
COLA	Cost of Living Adjustment

D
DAA	Drug Addiction and/or Alcoholism / “Drugs and Alcohol”
DAC	Disabled Adult Child – Title II
DED	Disability Evaluation Division – the state agency
DE	Disability Examiner
DEQY	Detailed Earnings Query – Title II
DDS	Disability Determination Service – the state agency
DHHS	Department of Health and Human Services – former SSA parent agency
DI	Disabled Individual – Title XVI
DIB	Disability Insurance Benefits – Title II
DISM	Same as DSM, the preferred acronym
DISM	Disability Insurance State Manual
DIWC	Disabled Individual, Worker or Child – Title II claim type
DJ	District Judge
DLI	Date Last Insured – Title II disability insured status
DLM	Date Last Met – same as DLI
DO	District Office – local SSA field office
DOB	Date of Birth
DOE	Date of Entitlement – Title II
DOT	Dictionary of Occupational Titles
DSM	Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

E
EAJA	Equal Access to Justice Act
EOD	Established Onset of Disability
EPE	Extended Period of Eligibility – Title II
ER	Earnings Record

F
FBM	First Benefit Month
FBR	Federal Benefit Rate – Title XVI
FIB	Father’s Insurance Benefits – Title II
FMAX	Family Maximum – Title II benefit limit
FO	Field Office – a DO or a BO
FOIA	Freedom of Information Act

G
GLPSC	Great Lakes Program Service Center – PC4

H
HA	Hearing Assistant
HALLEX	Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law [Lex] – OHA policy manual
HCFA	Health Care Finance Administration
HE	Hearing Examiner – former title of ALJ
HIA	Health Insurance, Part A – Medicare
HIB	Health Insurance, Part B – Medicare
HOCALJ	Hearing Office Chief ALJ
HOA	Hearing Office Administrator
HOM	Hearing Office Manager
HOSA	Hearing Office Systems Administrator
HPI	Hearing Process Improvement

I
IAP	Interim Assistance Program – Title XVI
IAR	Interim Assistance Reimbursement – Title XVI
ICD	International Classification of Diseases
ID	Initial Determination
IEP	Initial Enrollment Period – SMIB
IFA	Individualized Functional Assessment – former SSI child dib. standard
IME	Independent Medical Examiner – WC term
IRWE	Impairment-Related Work Expense
ISM	In-kind Support & Maintenance – Title XVI

L
LMER	Last Met Earnings Requirement – same as DLI
LPC	Legal Processing Clerk
LSDP	Lump-Sum Death Payment

M
MA	Medical Advisor – former title of an ME
MAMPSC	Mid-America Program Service Center – PC6
MATPSC	Mid-Atlantic Program Service Center – PC2
MBR	Master Beneficiary Record – Title II
ME	Medical Expert = designated at OHA level
MER	Medical Evidence of Record [also MEOR]
MIB	Mother’s Insurance Benefits – Title II
MRFC	Mental RFC
MSS	Medical Source Statement

N
NEPSC	Northeastern Program Service Center
NH	Number Holder – “Wage Earner” – Title II

O
OASDI	Old-Age, Survivor & Disability Insurance – Title II
OCRO	Office of Central Records Operations – Baltimore, MD – PC9
ODAR	Office of Disability, Adjudication, and Review (formerly OHA)
ODIO	Office of Disability & International Operations – Baltimore, MD – PC8
ODO	Office of Disability Operation
OGC	Office of General Counsel
OHA	Office of Hearings and Appeals – former name of ODAR
OIG	Office of Inspector General
OOH	Occupational Outlook Handbook
OPIR	Office of Program Integrity Review

P
PA	Privacy Act
PASS	Plan to Achieve Self Support – Title XVI
PCI	Payment Cycling Indicator – staggered benefit payment dates
PE	Post Entitlement – Title II
PE	Post Eligibility – Title XVI
PEBES	Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement – Title II
PIA	Primary Insurance Amount – base benefit rate
PMV	Presumed Maximum Value – Title XVI income term
POMS	Program Operations Manual System – SSA claims manual
PPD	Permanent Partial Disability – WC term
PPS	Program Policy Statement – SSR precursor
PRUCOL	Permanent Residence Under Color of Law
PRW	Past Relevant Work
PSC	Program Service Center

Q
QA	Quality Assurance
QC	Quarter of Coverage – Title II
QMB	Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
QME	Qualified Medical Examiner – WC term

R
RC	Regional Commissioner of SSA
RCALJ	Regional Chief ALJ
RFC	Residual Functional Capacity
RFH	Request for Hearing
RFR	Request for Reconsideration
RIB	Retirement Insurance Benefits – Title II
RMO	Regional Management Officer
RO	Regional Office – OHA management unit
RPO	Regional Program Officer
RRB	Railroad Retirement Board

S
SCO	Selected Characteristics of Occupations
SDI	State Disability Insurance
SDM	Single Decision Maker
SEPSC	Southeastern Program Service center – PC3
SEQY	Summary Earnings query – Title II
SGA	Substantial Gainful Activity
SHA	Supervisory Hearing Assistant
SIB	Spouse’s Insurance Benefits – Title II
SLMB	Special Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary
SMIB	Supplemental Medical Insurance Benefits – same as HIB
SSRT	Simple, Routine, Repetitive Task
SSA	Social Security Administration
SSA	Supervisory Staff Attorney
SSDC	Social Security (Title II) and SSI (Title XVI) concurrent claim
SSDI	Social Security Disability Insurance – Title II
SSI	Supplemental Security Income – Title XVI
SSID	SI Disability
SSID	SSI Display – computer query
SSIRD	SSI Record Display – computer query
SSLP	Social Security Law and Practice – West Group
SSP	State Supplementary Payments – optional state SSI add-on
SSPG	Social Security Practice Guide
SSRS	Social Security Reporting Service – West Group
SSR	Social Security Ruling
SVP	Specific Vocational Preparation

T
Title 2	Social Security Disability Insurance
Title II	Social Security Disability Insurance
Title 16	Supplemental Security Income
Title XVI	Supplemental Security Income
TTD	Temporary Total Disability – WC Term
TWP	Trial Work Period – Title II

U
UI	Unearned Income – Title XVI
UI	Unemployment Insurance
UP	Under-Payment
USC	United States Code
USCA	United States Code Annotated
UWA	Unsuccessful Work Attempt

V
VE	Vocational Expert
VR	Vocational Rehabilitation
VTR	Value of the One-Third Reduction – Title XVI

W
WC	Worker’s Compensation
WE	Wage Earner – Title II
WIB	Widow’s Insurance Benefits / Widower’s Insurance Benefits – Title II
WNPSC	Western Program Service Center

Glossary of Social Security Terms

A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M • N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z

A
Advance Designation	Advance designation allows you to elect up to three individuals who could serve as a representative payee for you if the need ever arises. SSA offers advance designation to capable adults and emancipated minors who are applying for or receiving Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Special Veterans Benefits. If you become unable to manage, or direct others to manage, your benefits in the future, you will have peace of mind knowing that someone you trust may be appointed to manage your benefits for you.
Average Monthly Earnings (AME)	The dollar amount used in calculating your monthly Social Security benefit if you attained age 62 or became disabled (or died) before 1978. The AME is determined by dividing the total earnings in the “computation years” by the number of months in those same years.
Appeal (Appeal Rights)	You will receive a letter of explanation whenever Social Security makes a decision regarding your eligibility for Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal (ask SSA to review your case).
Application for Benefits	To receive Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, or Medicare, you must complete and sign an application. You can apply for retirement, disability, Medicare, SSI, and spouse’s benefits online at www.ssa.gov/applyonline online, in person at a local Social Security Office, or by telephone at 1-800-772-1213.
Application for a Social Security Card	The application form (SS-5) you need to complete to obtain a Social Security number. In some cases, you may need to complete the same application to receive a replacement card.

B
Baptismal Certificate	An official religious record of your birth or baptism. In some situations, we can use a baptismal certificate to establish your age.
Base Years	In initial computation, a worker’s (wage earner’s) base years for computing Social Security benefits are the years after 1950 up to the year before entitlement to retirement or disability insurance benefits. For a survivor’s claim, the base years include the year of the worker’s death.
Benefits for your Family	When you’re eligible for retirement or disability benefits, the following people may also receive benefits on your record: – Spouse if he or she is at least 62 years old (or any age but caring for an entitled child of the deceased spouse under age 16 or disabled) or who is over age 16 and disabled before age 22. – Children if they are unmarried and under age 18, or under age 19 and a full-time elementary or secondary student. – Children age 18 or older but who were disabled before age 22. – Ex-spouses age 62 or older.
Benefit Verification Letter	An official letter from Social Security that states the amount an individual receives each month in Social Security benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. A benefit verification letter also shows proof that someone is not receiving benefits or is waiting for a decision.
Benefits	Social Security pays five types of benefits:   – Retirement – Disability – Spouse’s/dependent children – Survivors – Medicare The retirement, disability, and survivor programs pay monthly benefits; Medicare provides medical coverage.
Benefits – Reduced	Some benefits are reduced depending on when you begin receiving them. – Retirement benefits at age 62 through the month before your reach Full Retirement Age; – Spouse’s benefits at age 62 through the month before you reach full retirement age, provided there is no child of your spouse either under age 16 or disabled and entitled to benefits on your spouse’s record in your care. – Widow’s or widower’s benefits beginning at any time from age 60, or age 50 if you are disabled, through the month before you reach your full retirement age. – Widow’s or widower’s benefits, if your spouse received a retirement benefit before their full retirement age. – Disability benefits received after a reduced retirement benefit. – Retirement or disability benefits received after a reduced widow’s or widower’s benefit. This applies only if you were born before 1928.
Birth Certificate (Original)	The record maintained by a governmental entity such as a state, county, parish, city, or borough that documents your birth.

C
Child	SSA uses the term “child” to include your biological child or any other child who can inherit your personal property under state law or who meets certain specific requirements under the Social Security Act, such as any of these: – A legally adopted child. – An equitably adopted child. – A stepchild. – A dependent grandchild or step-grandchild in your care.
Computation Years	Computation years are the years with highest earnings taken from the base years. SSA adds total earnings for the computation years and divides by the number of months in those years to get the AME or the AIME. (SSA will use your 35 highest years of earnings to compute your retirement benefits.)
Consumer Price Index (CPI-W)	An index prepared by the U. S. Department of Labor that charts the rise in costs for selected goods and services. This index is used to compute cost-of-living adjustments.
Credits (Social Security Credits)	Previously called “Quarters of Coverage.” As you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits that count toward your eligibility for future Social Security benefits. You can earn a maximum of four credits each year. Most people need 40 credits to qualify for benefits. Younger people need fewer credits to qualify for disability or survivors benefits. For more information, see Quarter of Coverage for Social Security Disability.

D
Decision Notice (Award Letter or Denial Letter)	When you apply for Social Security, SSA decide if you will receive benefits. SSA will send you an official letter explaining the decision and, if benefits are payable, tell you the amount you will get each month.
Delayed Retirement Credits (DRC)	Social Security benefits are increased by a certain percentage (depending on date of birth) if a person delays taking retirement benefits beyond their full retirement age. The benefit increase stops after age 70, even if the person continues to delay taking benefits.
Direct Deposit	In most cases, people receive Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) using direct deposit. Your money is sent electronically to an account in a financial institution.
Disability Benefits	You can get disability benefits if all of these apply to you: – Are under full retirement age. – Have enough Social Security credits. – Have a severe medical impairment (physical or mental) that’s expected to prevent you from doing “substantial” work for a year or more, or have a condition that is expected to result in death. For more information, see How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits.
Documents (Proofs)	Forms and papers such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, W-2 forms, tax returns, deeds, etc., submitted by individuals applying for benefits and services. SSA can accept only originals, or copies or extracts certified by the agency that has the original document.

E
Early Retirement	You can start getting Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62 if you are insured, but your benefit amount will be less than you would have gotten if you waited until your full retirement age. If you take retirement benefits early, your benefit will remain permanently reduced, based on the number of months you received benefits before you reached full retirement age.
Early Retirement Age	Age 62. For more information, see Can I Collect Early Retirement While Waiting for Social Security Disability Benefits?
Earnings Record (lifetime record of earnings)	A chronological history of the amount of money you earned each year during your working lifetime. The credits you earned remain on your Social Security record even when you change jobs or have no earnings. You can see your earnings history with a personal my Social Security account.
Evidence (Proofs)	The documents you must submit to support a factor of entitlement or payment amount. The people in your Social Security office can explain what evidence is required to establish entitlement and help you to get it.

F
Family Maximum	The maximum amount of benefits payable to an entire family on any one worker’s record.
FICA Tax	FICA stands for “Federal Insurance Contributions Act.” It’s the tax withheld from your wages that funds the Social Security and Medicare programs.
Full Retirement Age	The age at which a person may first become entitled to full or unreduced benefits based on age. The age which you will be able to collect your full retirement benefit amount. The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960, until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67. Workers and spouses in the year 2027. Widows and widowers in the year 2029. This increase affects the amount of the reduction for persons who begin receiving reduced benefits.

I
Insured Status	If you worked and earned enough Social Security credits to be eligible for retirement or disability benefits or for your dependents to be eligible for benefits due to your retirement, disability, or death, you have insured status. For more information, see Quarters of Coverage for Social Security Disability.

L
Lawful Alien Status	Refers to people admitted to the United States who are granted permanent authorization to work by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (formerly INS) or admitted to the United States on a temporary basis with USCIS (INS) authorization to work.
Lifetime Earnings “Earnings Record”	A chronological history of the amount of money you earned each year during your working lifetime. The credits you earned remain on your Social Security record even when you change jobs or have no earnings. You can view your lifetime earnings with a personal my Social Security account.
Lump Sum Death Payment	A one-time payment of $255 paid in addition to any monthly survivors benefits your family is eligible to receive. This amount is paid only to your widow/widower or minor children.

M
Maximum Earnings	The maximum amount of earnings SSA can count in any calendar year when calculating your Social Security benefit.
Medicaid	A joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for people with low incomes and limited resources.
Medicare	The federal health insurance program for: – People 65 years of age or older. – Certain younger people with disabilities. – People with permanent kidney failure with dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease).
Month of Election	This usually applies to retirement claims. In certain situations, you can choose the month in which you want your benefits to start.

N
Normal Retirement Age	The age at which a person may first become entitled to full or unreduced benefits based on age. The age which you will be able to collect your full retirement benefit amount. The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960, until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67. Workers and spouses in the year 2027. Widows and widowers in the year 2029. This increase affects the amount of the reduction for persons who begin receiving reduced benefits.
Number Holder	A person who earns Social Security credits while working for wages or self-employment income. Sometimes referred to as the “Wage Earner” or “Worker.”
Nutrition Assistance Programs	The United States Department of Agriculture program that helps needy families buy food.

P
Payment Dates for Social Security Benefits	If you applied for Social Security benefits before May 1, 1997, your payments usually are dated and delivered on the 3rd of the month following the month for which the payment is due. For example, payments for January are delivered on February 3rd. If the 3rd of the month is a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, your payments are dated and delivered on the first day before the 3rd of the month which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. For example, if the 3rd is a Saturday or Sunday, payments are delivered on the preceding Friday. If you filed for Social Security benefits May 1, 1997, or later, you are assigned one of three payment days based on date of birth: – If you were born on the 1st through 10th of the month, your payment will be delivered on the second Wednesday of the month. – If you were born on the 11th through 20th of the month, your payment will be delivered on the third Wednesday of the month. – If you were born on the 21st through end of the month, your payment will be delivered on the fourth Wednesday of the month. If your scheduled Wednesday payment day is a federal holiday, we’ll send your payment on the preceding day that is not a federal legal holiday. For a schedule of benefit payment dates, see our schedule for Social Security Disability payments.
Payment Dates for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments	SSI payments are usually dated and delivered on the first day of the month for which they are due. However, if the first falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, they are dated and delivered on the first day preceding the first of the month which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. For a schedule of benefit payment dates, see our schedule for Social Security Disability payments.
Proofs	The documents you must submit to support a factor of entitlement or payment amount. The people in your Social Security office can explain what evidence is required to establish entitlement and help you to get it.
Protective Filing Date	The date you first contact SSA about filing for benefits. SSA may use this date to establish an earlier application date than when they receive your signed application.

R
Reduction Months	Months beginning with the first month you’re entitled to reduced benefits up to, but not including, the month in which you reach full retirement age.
Representative Payee	If you receive Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and become unable to handle your own financial affairs, the SSA (after a careful investigation) will appoint a relative, a friend, or an interested party to handle your Social Security matters on your behalf. If you are a beneficiary or a claimant who has attained age 18 or who is an emancipated minor, you also have the option to designate in advance up to three individuals who could serve as your payee should the need arise in the future.
Retirement Age – Full Benefits	The age which you will be able to collect your full retirement benefit amount. The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960, until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67.
Retirement Age – Minimum	The minimum age for retirement—age 62 for workers, and age 60 for widows or widowers. You can choose a reduced benefit anytime before you reach full retirement age.
Retirement Earnings Test	If you receive monthly Social Security benefits before your full retirement age and work, your earnings from wages and/or self-employment cannot exceed a certain amount without reducing your monthly benefits.
Retroactive Benefits (Back Pay)	Monthly benefits that you may be entitled to before the month you actually apply, if you meet the requirements.
Retirement Benefit	Money that is payable to you starting at age 62, if you have enough Social Security credits.

S
Self-employment Income	Net earnings of $400 or more in a tax year for those who are self-employed (you operate a trade, business or profession, either individually or as a partner).
Social Security	Social Security is based on a simple concept: While you work, you pay taxes into the Social Security system, and when you retire or become disabled, you, your spouse, and your dependent children receive monthly benefits that are based on your reported earnings. Also, your survivors may be eligible to collect benefits when you die.
Social Security Number	Your nine-digit Social Security number is your first and continuous connection with Social Security. It helps SSA identify and accurately record your covered wages or self-employment earnings. SSA also uses it to monitor your record once you start getting benefits. A Social Security number is important because you need it to get a job, collect Social Security benefits, and get some other government services.
Social Security Office	Many services are available online. You can also call the toll-free telephone number, 1-800-772-1213, to use the interactive voice response system or to speak to a representative. The TTY number is 1-800-325-0778. This toll-free telephone number service is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Social Security Office Locator shows the address of your local office.
Spouse	You are the spouse of the worker if: – You and the worker were married at the time you filed for benefits. – You would have the status of a husband or a wife for that person’s personal property if they had no will. – You went through a marriage ceremony in good faith, which would have been valid except for a legal impediment.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	A federal supplemental income program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It helps aged, blind, and disabled people who have limited income and resources by providing monthly cash payments to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. For more information, see What Is Supplemental Security Income?
Survivors Benefits	Benefits based on your record (when you die) can be paid to your: – Widow/widower age 60 or older, 50 or older if disabled, or any age if caring for your child who is under age 16, or who was disabled before age 22. – Children, if they are unmarried and under age 18, under 19 but still in school, or 18 or older but they were disabled before age 22. – Parents, if you provided at least one-half of their support. An ex-spouse could also be eligible for a widow/widower’s benefit on your record. A special one-time lump sum death payment of $255 may be made to your spouse or minor children.

W
Wage Earner	A person who earns Social Security credits while working for wages or self-employment income. Sometimes referred to as the “Number Holder” or “Worker.”
Wages	All payment for services performed for an employer. Wages do not have to be cash. The cash value of all compensation paid to an employee in any form other than cash is also considered wages, unless the form of payment is specifically not covered under the Social Security Act.
Widow	You are the widow/widower of the worker if, at the time he or she died: – You and the worker were validly married. – You would have the status of a husband or a wife for that person’s personal property if he or she had no will. – You went through a marriage ceremony in good faith that would have been valid except for a legal impediment. The minimum age for widows benefits is 60, or 50 if disabled.
Widower	See Widow.
Work Credits	Previously called “Quarters of Coverage.” As you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits that count toward your eligibility for future Social Security benefits. You can earn a maximum of four credits each year. Most people need 40 credits to qualify for benefits. Younger people need fewer credits to qualify for disability or survivors benefits.
Worker	See Wage Earner.

Work with an Experienced Social Security Disability Attorney

Ortiz Law Firm focuses primarily on disability claims, including Social Security Disability Insurance and concurrent Supplemental Security Income claims. We assist claimants with initial applications, requests for reconsideration, and hearings before an administrative law judge.

If you need help with your disability claim, or if you have questions about an abbreviation or SSA term not listed above, please do not hesitate to contact us. Call (888) 321-8131 for a free case evaluation.