With a recent change, the Social Security Administration is making it easier to apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits.

The agency started rolling out an online application last month for SSI, which serves many people with developmental disabilities.

The simplified application includes as few as 12 questions, depending on how an applicant responds, down considerably from 54. Questions are written in plain language and they prepopulate with answers when possible.

The changes are designed to reduce the amount of time it takes to apply and allow applicants to get initial claim decisions more quickly, Social Security officials said when they originally unveiled the plan last summer.

At this point, the new online application is available to adults ages 18 to 64 applying for SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance who have never been married and have never applied for SSI for themselves or a child. The updated version will eventually be expanded to all applicants in person, over the phone and online, officials said.

Previously, people could apply for SSDI online and indicate their intent to seek SSI, but they had to take other steps to complete that application.

The new application is the first stage of what Social Security officials described as a “multi-year effort” to improve the application process and increase access for eligible individuals.

About 7.4 million Americans, including many with disabilities, receive SSI each month.