H.R. 3695 — Social Security Access Act

This section requires the Commissioner of Social Security, upon enactment, to ensure that individuals seeking services, submitting information, or applying for benefits under titles II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) or XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act may use any of three service channels: (1) toll-free telephone service for direct assistance with inquiries, claims, and appeals (available in English, Spanish, and other languages as needed; nationwide; with security safeguards; and permitting full applications for such benefits and direct deposit changes, notwithstanding prior subregulatory guidance); (2) online portal for submitting and tracking claims and inquiries; or (3) in-person assistance at field offices. This section further requires (1) an initial report to Congress from the Comptroller General within one year assessing implementation effectiveness, access barriers, security measures, and improvement recommendations; and (2) annual reports thereafter from the Commissioner to Congress on service channel usage, telephone wait times and applications, security, barriers, improvement plans, and overall effectiveness.