This is a great question, and there doesn't seem to be any real authority that directly answers it. However, I did find a link to the SSA's Direct Deposit page: www.ssa.gov/deposit/index.htm. On the page, it states that "Federal law mandates that all Federal benefit payments - including Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits - must be made electronically. There are two ways you can receive your benefits: -Into an existing bank account via Direct Deposit or -Onto a Direct Express® Debit Mastercard® So my assumption is that if you check this box to refuse the direct deposit, then the SSA will issue you a debit MasterCard and use that for electronic payments instead. However, this isn't official advice or an official statement, just an educated guess.

I would be inclined to defer to the IRS guidance on this, but I'd also double-check with the SSA. IRS Publication 907 states that if you paid the premiums for any disability policy, then it is not considered taxable income. If your employer paid the premiums, or if you paid the premiums from a pre-tax cafeteria plan, then the income would be considered taxable income until you reach a minimum retirement age. So if the IRS considers it earned income (because your employer paid the premiums), then I would list it in Line 18b. But if it were considered income because paid the premiums, then I would probably be inclined to leave it out. If you want to double check with the SSA before sending the completed form, that would be understandable. I also would not report this in Line 22, because a disability policy is not considered a public disability benefit.

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PTO and vacation pay are not reported to the SSA. You'll have to contact your previous employer's HR department for that information.

Probably not. But it depends on which benefits you're trying to file for. I'd recommend that you contact the SSA to see what benefits you might be eligible for, and how to apply for them.