Social Security SEARCH MENU LANGUAGES SIGN IN / UP Public Policy Home POMS Home Page POMS Table of Contents POMS Recent Changes Emergency Messages Chief Judge Bulletins SSA Program Rules POMS Home This section of the SSA Program Policy Information Site contains the public version of the Program Operations Manual System (POMS). The POMS is a primary source of information used by Social Security employees to process claims for Social Security benefits. The public version of POMS is identical to the version used by Social Security employees except that it does not include internal data entry and sensitive content instructions. Please note that this document is intended for SSA employees. It contains technical terms and instructions that will be unfamiliar to you. If you have difficulty understanding these materials, please click on this link to the Social Security Handbook, which is written in plain language for use by the public. Page Contents Table of Contents - Browse to find information. Recent Changes - Recent updates that have been incorporated into the Program Operations Manual System (POMS); the individual transmittals include a Background and a Summary of Changes. Help - Links for assistance with using POMS. Accessibility FOIA Open Government Glossary Privacy Report Fraud, Waste or Abuse Site Map Website Policies This website is produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense.