General, Social Security Number and Card

How Providing Race and Ethnicity Data Helps All Customers

November 30, 2023 • By

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Last Updated: November 30, 2023

Social Security Administration Logo 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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About the Author

Kilolo Kijakazi, Ph.D., M.S.W. Principal Senior Advisor to the Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Tony

    Stop raising the retirement age. Black American males and females have the lowest life expectancy. If the SSA keeps raising the retirement age, then Black Americans will be greatly affected.

    The Acting Commissioner will doom her own people. That is how Republicans work to put a minority into a position of authority to screw over their own kind.

    Everyone benefits from not raising the retirement age any higher.

  2. Jack M.

    You can see by the overwhelming negative responses that most of us are against this policy. I don’t remember the last time, if ever, that I spoke with anyone in favor of this policy, If we are truly part of a representative government, then all should be treated equally without regard to their race or ethnicity. As some of the others have commented, I have also not checked any of the boxes. In fact, I never have. If not already happening, someday some hotshot bureaucrat is going to find a way to use the information for nefarious reasons. We are rapidly losing faith in our government. Please take these comments as constructive criticism and stop this useless collection of data. That goes for all other forms of request such as loan applicaitons.

  3. GP

    Stop. This. Nonsense. Treat everyone who applies for benefits equally under current law. And, the data and “statistical” methods you are proposing are faulty from the outset. Voluntary reporting of data is highly suspicious in the statistical world because it skews the data towards only those who report, which is probably the opposite of what you’re really looking for. I began to decline to answer any questions related to race or ethnicity years ago and encourage others to do so also.

    • John

      I agree fully with what you say. By collecting data on all the people you, well, maybe not you, but some,in the future, will segregate and separate some from others, and this is very dangerous. It is not something that can clearly be understood as a good move at this present time. Who knows, if your information finds itself in the wrong hands it could create chaos in the future. This is just as cruel as to collect different DNA information on the people, and at some time faults in the same will incriminate you and somehow condemn you. NO, SIR!
      You see, you want now to get my ID by Email address.

  4. Aryn

    Collecting data on race/ethnicity does not make any sense in 2023, the form should be revised to reflect current times.
    Moreover a) it is not mandatory information and b) there is no check on whether the selected options are correct: it has no statistical credibility, whatsoever.
    The enumeration started in the 1930s, it is simply heritage of that era: make an effort to update the from, welcome to the 21st century! 🙂

  5. P. R.

    My ancestors came from Spain and Africa and Ireland and England and Mexico and France, and I know this: I know exactly what I am.
    I am an American, and I grew up in this country knowing that nobody cared about the color of my skin then, and it still shouldn’t matter today!

  6. David G.

    I see “what” you are attempting to do but not “how” this helps get these objectives. After you have tried to get the needed information, are you going to report the overall results? Did you get to your objectives in this manner and methods?? Has it worked in other programs by other government agencies? What was their results?

  7. MajJohn

    Race and certainly ethnicity should never be a part of decision making. Asking for that information suggests an agenda. What does asking for that information now suggest, that we’ve been racist in the previous years?

    Don’t expect many positive comments. Most citizens don’t trust the government because of corruption and manipulation to get desired political outcomes.

    • DT

      Amen!

  8. Stephanni

    Why would you need to have our race to serve us better? What difference does it make?

    Serve everyone with respect and professionalism. Stop being racist!!!

    • Regina S.

      Amen!The Recipient earns SSA by qualifying by working and
      Earning 40 quarters like I did with 48 yrs of being a nurse.
      Stop enabling those who have not qualified like myself !Because The govt is draining the SSA funds !

      • Regina s.

        Oops stop enabling those who don’t qualify.I totally qualified( typo in previous post!

  9. Douglas H.

    This policy is divisive by nature. We are all Americans (except for those here illegally) and should be treated without preference regarding gender, race, ethnicity, etc.. according to law. This is a violation of everything that the United States has stood for.

    • Katherine L.

      https://www.judicialwatch.org/social-security-overpays-billions-under-leadership-of-racial-equity-activist/ Judicial Watch posted this today in their Corruption Files . Social Security Overpays Billions Under Leadership of Racial Equity Activist

      • Patrice

        Thanks for posting that article. Explains a lot!
        That woman is bad news for hard working Americans.

      • Dan G.

        They took the article down. Hope the author is OK.

    • BwannaX

      Your comments and conclusions are what is divisive and true only to thieves seeking additional ill gotten gains. Perhaps you need to be discovered and civilized by genocidal enslavement to develop thinking skills.

  10. Gary

    Just more anti-white racism from the woke idiots in NYS!!

Comments are closed.