HOW TO: Order Your Social Security File Using Form SSA-3288
Did you know you can request copies of records that the Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains about you?
Your Social Security disability claim file can contain important documents related to your SSDI or SSI claim, including applications, medical evidence, disability reports, appeal requests, notices and other records SSA used while processing your case.
Getting copies of these records can be especially useful if your disability claim was denied, you are preparing for an appeal, you want to understand how SSA evaluated your claim, or you simply want copies for your personal records.
One form you may encounter when requesting the release of Social Security records is Form SSA-3288 — Consent for Release of Information.
However, there is something extremely important to understand before filling it out:
Don't Just Write "Send My Entire SSA File"
The current SSA-3288 specifically warns that SSA will not honor a request in Item 9 that simply asks for:
“Any and all records”
or
“The entire file.”
Instead, SSA requires you to identify the particular Social Security records you are requesting.
That means the goal is to be specific and comprehensive about the records you want.
What Is Form SSA-3288?
Form SSA-3288 is officially called:
Consent for Release of Information
It allows you to authorize the Social Security Administration to release specified records about you to a person or organization.
The form asks for information including:
Your full name
Date of birth
Social Security number
Person or organization receiving the records
Address of the recipient
Reason for releasing the information
Specific records being requested
Your signature and date
SSA also provides separate procedures for requesting access to your own records directly.
What Records Can You Request?
The SSA-3288 includes several categories of information.
Depending on what you need, these can include:
1. Verification of Social Security Number
2. Current Social Security benefit amount
3. Current SSI payment amount
4. Social Security benefit amounts for a specified period
5. SSI payment amounts for a specified period
6. Medicare entitlement information
7. Medical records for a specified period
8. Complete medical records
9. Other Social Security records
Item 9 is particularly important if you are trying to obtain records associated with a disability claim.
What Should You Put in Item 9?
Rather than requesting your “whole file,” identify the records you actually want.
For example, depending on your situation, you could request records such as:
“Copies of my Social Security disability claim records, including benefit applications, disability applications and reports, function reports, work history reports, medical evidence contained in my claim folder, consultative examination reports, Disability Determination Services determinations, medical consultant assessments, Residual Functional Capacity assessments, award and denial notices, appeal requests, reconsideration records, hearing-related records, and other specified records associated with my disability claim for the period of [DATE] through [DATE].”
Only request records that are relevant to what you are trying to obtain.
SSA requires the requested information to be sufficiently specific and may require applicable date ranges.
Want Your Medical Records Too?
Pay particular attention to Items 7 and 8.
Item 7 requests medical records for a specific date range.
Item 8 requests complete medical records.
SSA's current form specifically instructs applicants not to check both Item 7 and Item 8.
If you're requesting complete medical records, Item 8 may therefore be the appropriate selection rather than Item 7.
Your Disability File May Contain More Than Medical Records
This is an important distinction.
Checking “Complete medical records” does not necessarily mean you have requested every non-medical document associated with your disability claim.
Your claim records may also include applications, appeal requests, notices and other administrative records.
That's why someone seeking a broad collection of disability records may need to specify the additional records they want under Item 9.
Another Option: Request Your Own Records Directly
Form SSA-3288 is particularly important when you are authorizing SSA to release specified information to another person or organization.
If you simply want access to your own claim records, SSA currently says you can request your own claim file through your local Social Security office.
SSA also now provides an electronic request for access to certain records about yourself after identity verification.
The electronic system can be used to request certain records such as:
Social Security benefit amounts
SSI payment amounts
Medicare entitlement
Medical records from your claim folder
Benefit or payment applications
Award notices
Denial notices
Appeal requests
Certain other Social Security records
This may be easier for some people than submitting a paper request.
Where Do You Submit SSA-3288?
For claim-file requests involving a paper consent, SSA generally directs people to their local servicing Social Security office.
A completed paper consent may generally be:
Hand-delivered
Mailed
Faxed
Check with your local Social Security office before submitting the request if you are unsure where it should go.
Important: SSA-3288 Requires a Signature
Although SSA provides a fillable version of Form SSA-3288, SSA policy states that the fillable SSA-3288 requires a wet signature.
You can fill in the boxes electronically, but you generally need to print and sign the form before submitting it under the paper-form process.
SSA also offers an electronic consent option, SSA-3288-OP1, for certain requests.
Why Would You Want Your Social Security Disability Records?
Obtaining your records can help you understand what happened during your disability case.
For example, you may be able to review:
What SSA received from your doctors
You can compare the records SSA obtained with your actual treatment history.
What the consultative examiner reported
If SSA sent you to a physical or psychological consultative examination, the report may be important evidence in your claim.
Why your claim was denied
Your records may provide additional information about the evidence considered when SSA made its determination.
What you previously told SSA
Applications, function reports and work-history forms may become important later in the disability process.
What evidence may be missing
Reviewing the records may help identify treatment records or other evidence that wasn't included.
Can SSA Charge You for Records?
Possibly.
The SSA-3288 states that SSA may charge a fee when information is being released for non-program purposes.
Whether a charge applies can depend on the records requested and why they are being requested.
If you're requesting records in connection with a Social Security benefit claim or appeal, explain the purpose accurately when making your request.
Keep a Copy of Everything You Submit
Before submitting your request, make a copy of:
The completed SSA-3288
Any attachment listing additional requested records
Your fax confirmation, if faxed
Mailing/tracking information, if mailed
Any correspondence you receive from SSA
If your requested list will not fit comfortably in Item 9, you can also prepare a separate attachment clearly identifying the records requested and reference that attachment on the form.
Where to Get Form SSA-3288
Download the current SSA-3288 — Consent for Release of Information directly from the Social Security Administration.
Do not rely on an old copy found on a random website because SSA forms and procedures can change.
Final Tip
If your goal is to obtain as much information as possible about your Social Security Disability case, don't simply write:
“I want my entire Social Security file.”
Instead, identify the specific categories of records you want and the relevant dates.
That small distinction could make the difference between SSA being able to process your request and having to contact you for clarification or reject an overly broad request.
Official SSA Resources
Form SSA-3288 — Consent for Release of Information
SSA Privacy Program — Request Your Own Records
SSA Electronic Request for Access to Your Records
Always verify the latest form and instructions directly with the Social Security Administration before submitting your request.
DisabilityTips.org Editor's Note
This article provides general educational information and is not legal advice. Social Security forms, policies, fees and procedures can change. Always review the current SSA instructions or contact Social Security directly for information about your individual request.
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