Our Guest writer today is a group of dedicated people, rather than a single person.  You can view their site at www.classaction.com.

This site was last updated 02/18/10

It all started like this in an e-mail I received:

"Would you consider letting us write an article or post information in your ezine to inform people of how they can request alternate formats from SSA?

Thanks,


Charlotte Lanvers, Staff Attorney

DREDF"

I checked them out and agreed.

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You also have a right to ask SSA to provide other formats such as large print or audio CD or cassette, if standard print, Braille, Microsoft Word on CD, certified mail or telephone do not work for you.  You can begin this process at any time in the following way:

1.   Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213

2.   SSA will note your request and will call you back by April 15, 2010.  If you make your request after March 15, 2010, SSA will contact you within 30 days of your request.  During this call back from SSA, SSA will ask you for your contact information, your social security number (SSN), what kind of alternate format you need to access information about your benefits, and why what SSA automatically offers -- Braille, Microsoft Word on CD, certified mail, or a phone call -- does not work for you.

3.   Finally, within 45 days of the date     SSA calls you back, SSA will send you its decision in large print stating whether or not your requested alternate format was granted or denied.  SSA can only deny your request if it decides that another format is effective for you or if it would be an undue burden to honor your request.

 

Please note that some of your notices may continue to be sent in standard print between April 15, 2010 and September 30, 2010, but if your request for your preferred alternate format has been approved, any standard print notice will include a cover letter in your preferred alternate format that alerts you to the fact that you are receiving an important notice from SSA.

 

DREDF urges class members who want to receive an alternate format to make requests as soon as possible AND to keep track of dates of requests, the names and locations of any SSA representatives you speak with, any problems you may encounter making requests, and all follow up contact with SSA.

 

DREDF Monitoring Activities:

 

DREDF remains committed to monitoring that the court judgment is fairly implemented.

 

Please contact DREDF in one of the following ways:  Email us at: ssaclassaction@dredf.org or call us at 1-800-348-4232 (note TTY only available during normal business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST).

 

In addition, if possible, please refer to our online survey where you can provide feedback regarding your experience requesting alternate formats at SSA at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/68JKVW5

 

 

DREDF staff is available to assist individuals making a request for an alternate format or making a formal complaint if SSA denies a request for alternate format.