What Does It Mean to Attest Your SSA Application?

You've filed for disability with Turnout as your representative. Now Social Security needs to hear from you directly. That step is called attestation, and it happens in one phone call.

If you got a text or email from us asking you to attest, this guide explains what it means to attest your SSA application, why only you can do it, and what happens on the call.

What does it mean to attest your SSA application?

Attesting is how the Social Security Administration (SSA) accepts your signature over the phone. You don't sign anything on paper. You tell an SSA employee out loud that you agree.

SSA's rulebook for its employees is the Program Operations Manual System (POMS). One section, POMS GN 00201.015, Alternative Signature Methods, explains attestation. On the call, an SSA employee confirms and records your intent to file for benefits. They also record your declaration, under penalty of perjury, that your information is true, and your agreement to sign by attestation instead of pen and ink.

SSA treats an attestation the same as a signature. It has accepted alternatives to pen-and-ink signatures since 2004.

In plain terms, "penalty of perjury" means you're promising your answers are true to the best of your knowledge. If you're unsure about anything in your application, ask your advocate before the call. If something is wrong later, you can still fix it, as the steps below show.

Why you have to attest, even though Turnout represents you

The SSA Handbook §2017, Representation of Claimant, says a representative can't sign an application for benefits on your behalf.

Your Turnout advocate builds your claim with you and works with SSA on it. SSA still needs to hear two things in your own voice: that you mean to file, and that the information is correct.

Until you attest, SSA can't move your claim forward.

Why confirming Turnout as your representative matters

SSA tells every person who applies that they have a right to a representative. That rule is in POMS GN 03910.030, Advising Claimants About Their Right to Representation.

SSA records your choice on Form SSA-1696, Claimant's Appointment of a Representative. On the call, you confirm that Turnout is the representative you chose.

Once you confirm, SSA can talk with your advocate about your claim. Your advocate gets copies of the notices SSA mails you. When SSA has a question, your advocate can answer it for you. You can read more about how Turnout's Social Security Disability advocates work at each stage.

What happens on the call

Social Security will ask you to do three things.

1. Verify your identity. An SSA employee asks questions to confirm it's really you.
2. Confirm that Turnout represents you. You confirm that Turnout is the representative named on your SSA-1696.
3. Authorize the release of your medical records. This is Form SSA-827, Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration. It lets your doctors, hospitals, and other sources send your records to SSA so it can decide your claim. POMS DI 11005.055 explains how SSA uses it.

How to attest, step by step

1. Open the Turnout app at compass.turnout.co and log in, or create your account.
2. Start your call from the app.
3. Answer SSA's identity questions.
4. Confirm Turnout as your representative.
5. Agree to release your medical records.
6. Confirm under penalty of perjury that your information is true and correct. SSA asks: "Do you declare under penalty of perjury that this information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge?"
7. Watch your mail for a printed copy of your application. Review it, and contact SSA within 10 days if anything is wrong.

Start your attestation call in the Turnout app

If you'd rather have a person walk you through it, call (844) MY-TURNOUT.

What happens if you miss your deadline

If you don't attest by your deadline, Social Security will close your claim. You'd need to start over with a new application.

SSA can protect your filing date from the day you first told it you planned to file. That protection holds only if a signed application follows within SSA's deadline, as POMS GN 00204.010, Protective Filing explains. If your claim closes, your original filing date may not carry over, and that date can affect how far back your benefits are counted.

If you aren't sure when your deadline is, call (844) MY-TURNOUT and we'll check where your claim stands.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I go past my deadline?

Social Security will close your claim, and you will need to start over.

I received mail from Social Security. What do I do?

Start a call now.

Can someone help me by phone?

Yes. Call us at (844) MY-TURNOUT, and we'll help you get started.

What should I expect on the call?

Social Security will ask you to do three things: 1. Verify your identity. 2. Confirm that Turnout represents you. 3. Authorize the release of your medical records. Jake will text you exactly what to say.

What does it mean to attest my SSA application?

It means you confirm your application with SSA by phone instead of signing on paper. An SSA employee records that you intend to file, that your information is true, and that you agree to sign this way. Start your call from the Turnout app when you're ready.

Is attesting the same as signing?

SSA treats attestation as equal to a pen-and-ink signature, so you don't need to mail anything signed. It has accepted signature alternatives since 2004.

What am I agreeing to when I authorize my medical records?

You're agreeing to Form SSA-827. It lets your doctors, hospitals, and other sources share your records with SSA so it can decide your claim. It lasts 12 months, and you can take it back in writing.

What if I made a mistake on the call?

SSA mails you a printed copy of your application. If anything is wrong, contact SSA within 10 days to correct it. Then tell your advocate what you changed.

Who can I contact if I'm stuck?

Reach your Turnout team through our contact page, or call (844) MY-TURNOUT. Tell us where you got stuck, and we'll help you finish.

Your next step

Attesting takes one call, and it's the step only you can take. Your advocate stays with your claim after that. Start your call at compass.turnout.co. If you'd like help first, contact us or call (844) MY-TURNOUT.

For guides on other stages of a claim, browse our Social Security Disability articles.

Turnout is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Our advocates are non-attorney representatives.

Sources

1. SSA POMS GN 00201.015, Alternative Signature Methods
2. SSA Handbook §2017, Representation of Claimant
3. SSA Form SSA-1696, Claimant's Appointment of a Representative
4. SSA POMS GN 03910.030, Advising Claimants About Their Right to Representation
5. SSA Form SSA-827, Authorization to Disclose Information to the SSA and SSA POMS DI 11005.055
6. SSA POMS GN 00204.010, Protective Filing