How Providing Race and Ethnicity Data Helps All Customers
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 30, 2023
We are continuously working to improve our understanding of how our programs are serving the public. This work includes collection of race and ethnicity data for research and statistical purposes which helps us determine whether we are equitably serving the public.
The information applicants and customers provide is voluntary and does not affect decisions on benefit applications.
Why does it matter if people provide race and ethnicity data?
When customers choose to provide race and ethnicity information, it lets us know:
- Who our benefit payments and programs are helping and who may be left out.
- What unintended barriers may impact benefits and services.
- Where to expand outreach efforts.
- How to increase awareness among individuals and families of eligibility for programs and benefits.
In other words, race and ethnicity data can help expand access to our programs, which is one of the objectives in our Equity Action Plan. Examples of how we use this information can be found on our Racial Equity Resources website.
Currently, we collect race and ethnicity information during applications for new or replacement Social Security number (SSN) cards. These applications can be completed through our Online Social Security Number Application or internet Replacement Social Security Card tool, at one of our field offices, or at one of our card centers.
Soon, we will also voluntarily collect this information from parents in participating states during the hospital birth registration process when they request an SSN for their newborn.
We encourage you to provide your race and ethnicity information during your or your child’s application for a new or replacement SSN card so that we may better serve all our current and future customers.
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Tags: Commissioner, General Information, social security, Social Security card
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Catherine
Absurd BS.
What are they going to try and do, give benefits to people of color simply because they’re not caucasian but never worked a day in their lives because they were sucking off the taxpayer with welfare payments? Oh goody, now we’ll get to pay for them TWICE!
Asking for skin color is RACIST in and of itself, but you liberals are a bunch of race baiters , that’s been clear since 2008 !
I am MIXED race but look Caucasian , you have a box to check off for that?!
Go pound sand !
John
Just by virtue of asking people their race is insulting and racist by nature. We’re all part of the HUMAN Race and should be provided the same benefits based on the same qualifications no matter what race .
P.D.
It is none of your business.. You need to do your job, like not overpaying and not paying those who did not pay in or are scamming SSA disability.
Mr.H
Psycho babble. Just what we would expect from someone in the ChinaJoe Lyin’Biden circus clown freak show administration.
Mr.H
Really? BS
Kasia M.
In the same vein—- racial and ethnicity identification continues to keep racism, race constructs and racial hierarchies in tact.
Paul
Agreed!
William M.
If you are a citizen of this nation, you are an American. I wish we would drop all the race Identifications. The race of a person is should not important. There are some areas, such as medical where it is important. I have felt my whole life that identifying each of us by race causes a divide in us as a nation.
Mike
I need help
Tom
American and the rest is none of your business
paul
Agreed!
Garlon A.
Yes! I absolutely agree! We get benefit’s based on our earnings and time based on a mathematical formula. How do they justify bringing race into that?
Iwydnt
As long as we continue to classify citizens we will never get past systemic racism. What is wrong with just being “American”?
Ed D.
Bullseye!
Judy
I agree with Iwydnt. All this kind of data does is cause more division amongst the United States population and more division we do not need! Knowing that, I hope that you will stop asking for this kind of information. Personally I find it insulting to be asked.
Carolyn
I am finding out just by talking too some of my colleagues of other races about our social security amounts that it is still discriminating in how our pay is different. With that said identifying races does make a difference in how we are payed.
Madeline
No it doesn’t. You are paid based on YOUR EARNINGS. If you made less you’re going to get less. Not everyone gets the same amount, that’s why SS uses a mathematical formula to determine what you’re entitled to. Race has absolutely NOTHING to do with it!
That said it’s not mandatory that you enter your race, so SS doesn’t currently know what your race is when applying. So that also discredits what you said.
S.D.
Hi, Carolyn. Thanks for reading our blog and for your comment. We base your retirement benefit on your highest 35 years of earnings and the age you start receiving benefits. For more information about how we calculate benefits, please visit our Retirement Planner and review our fact sheet, How You Become Eligible for Benefits. We hope this helps.