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How Social Security Shares Data to Help You

April 10, 2017 • By

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Last Updated: April 10, 2017

data sharingSocial Security is with you throughout life’s journey — when you’re born, start working, get married, become disabled, lose a loved one, and when you retire. At every stage, we strive to make your interaction with us as seamless as possible. One way we do that is through our data exchange programs. Data exchange happens when Social Security electronically obtains or shares personal information about someone with another government or private entity. This only happens when it’s legally permitted, technologically secure, and in accordance with your individual privacy rights.

Our data exchanges begin at birth when Social Security receives your name, date of birth, and parents’ names from states so we can provide a new social security number for a baby. This allows Social Security to create your first Social Security record.

Our data exchanges continue when you take your driving test or request an identification card with a department of motor vehicles (DMV). Our exchanges allow the DMV to verify your Social Security number to issue a government document or register you to vote. When you get your first job, employers use the Social Security verification service to verify your information before submitting your wage reports to Social Security. This ensures we can accurately track your earnings over your lifetime to secure your retirement, disability, and survivors coverage.

If you become disabled and eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance, we share your data with other federal agencies to help you get additional benefits, such as those from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, if you’re a veteran. If you served in the military, we obtain a veteran’s status as a wounded warrior to expedite your disability claim with Social Security. We also provide disability status to the U.S. Department of Education for potential student loan forgiveness.

After a person’s death, Social Security gathers death information from states, and other federal agencies through data exchange to support their loved ones and provide final death benefits.

Data exchanges facilitate Social Security’s efficient administration of our programs while saving tax payers’ money. You can find more information about Social Security data exchange programs at www.ssa.gov/dataexchange.

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About the Author

Stephen Evangelista, Associate Commissioner, Office of Data Exchange and Policy Publications

Stephen Evangelista is the Associate Commissioner for the Office of Data Exchange and Policy Publications

Comments

  1. Maria t.

    If SSA office used this data exchange efficiently then claims would be expedited and there would be no appeal because disability would be granted the second the “workers” at the SSA office saw the earnings on the person who applied and they denied, earnings dropped and for a lengthy period of time. Why allow SSA access if they don’t use it appropriately.

    • Jeff

      Oh yeah Maria, you are completely correct.

      SSA should just look at a person’s earnings record and since they don’t see current work history, they should just automatically find them disabled……….

      Are you absolutely out of your mind or do you honestly believe the nonsense that you are talking about???

      If what you are saying you think should happen, were to happen, this is how it could and would go down.

      Someone works 5 years in a row at a good job to be insured for SSDI. They quit and get a medical record saying they are disabled from some random doctor. They wait a year and apply…..

      Because there is no work earnings within the last year, SSA should instantly find them disabled………

      Oh yeah Maria, you are absolutely correct, that is some GREAT thinking! Write to your congressman so they can enact your insane recommendation immediately…….

  2. evonne

    Why does the Social Security office not keep you informed of the status of your disability claims. I have never been told the max amount of time it can take to go through all the appeals. I do not have a clue when a court date will be. I am lost and losing all everything I worked for since I was 14. The government gives you a deadline to pay your taxes but, not a deadline to GET YOUR OWN MONEY!!!!

    • Jeff

      The average time frame is 17 months from the date you filed to have a hearing until the hearing is held.

      That is the average wait time, 17 months. Look up what actual city you hearing office is going to be held at.

      Look at this site https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/01_NetStat_Report.html to find your corresponding office city to find that particular hearing office average wait time.

      For example the x34 Buffalo hearing office average wait time is 23.0 months.

      You will be notified by mail at least 20 days before your hearing is to be held on exactly the date time and place the hearing will occur.

      Say you filed for a hearing 8 months ago and the average wait time for the particular hearing office is 21 months.

      YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE NOTIFIED BY SSA MONTH TO MONTH SAYING YOUR AVERAGE IS GOING DOWN A MONTH!!!!!!!!

      You, nor anyone else are going to get regular letters saying that your hearing is still pending……

      20 days before your hearing you will be notified.

      Look to see when you filed for the hearing and the average wait time in months until your hearing is held by using the link I provided above.

      That will give you an accurate timeframe of what month and year that your hearing should be held.

      As I said once you have a hearing pending, SSA WILL NOT AND CAN NOT regularly send you letter just saying you have a hearing pending.

      You’re welcome in advance….

    • Ray F.

      Thanks for sharing your comment in our blog, Evonne. The length of time it takes to get a hearing can vary from state to state. We attempt to resolve all claims promptly, but there may be delays due to the volume of pending appeals in your area. The good news is that we are trying to conduct many of our hearings through video teleconferencing (VTC) to speed up the process. Visit our “Hearing And Appeals” web page for more information, and continue working with your local hearing office on specific questions about your case.

  3. Rathan

    Indian are join this sS.A..please help me

  4. Mel A.

    Congratulations to Social Security on its first annual Social Security month.
    Social Security is the most wonderful social insurance program in the world.it is the only one of the three legs of the retirement which is almost universal.
    Fifty percent of Americans have no other retirement savings. And only a small percentage of Americans have pensions.
    Besides retirement benefits Social Security also provides disability and survivors benefits.
    A PERFECT TRIFECTA
    Mel

    • Ray F.

      We appreciate your thoughts Mel, and thank you for your comment!

    • Colleen H.

      Yes it is great! But we are at huge risk of loosing it! Be sure to advocate with your politicians and Our President before this great system is dismissed or torn apart.
      I and many of my friends are very worried! My husband and I are 73 and 70 and we need it to live!! For example, this last few weeks, our costs for doctors and prescriptions were so HIGH and that is not even the Medical care costs! Please pay attention to what is happening in our mixed up world!
      Thanks, Colleen

  5. ralph a.

    I am waiting to get my 2016 SSA-1099 form !

    • BettyG

      CALL THEM!!
      ******************
      it should have been sent 2-3rd in jan. for all.

    • Ray F.

      Hi Ralph. Beneficiaries with a my Social Security account can use online services to get a replacement SSA-1099 on or after February 1 through December of each year.

  6. Glenda T.

    I am Glenda Thomas age 61 I need Medicaid I go to the clinic every 3months to take CT Scans of my Lungs I have no money to pay ,whats going to happen to me .I work but I am going to retire early now there is no help for me if I continue to work.Please text back or call me if you thank I am making the right move for my health.469 325 6715
    Address please mail me any information
    About what I am writing about to day .9850 Whitehurst Dr. # 2077
    Dallas Texas 75253

    • John

      This site can not respond to individual cases due to privacy concerns. Call 800-772-1213 and maybe they can help you.

    • BettyG

      glenda,

      please don’t leave your phone no. and home address for total strangers reading these comments….it’s NOT safe!!

      if you can EDIT your post, please delete that info to keep yourself safe and avoiding the many negative, nasty, rude comments some folks post on here…thanks!

      your email is provided to ss for every comment we make here fyi only.

      good luck to you.

      • Becca D.

        EXACTLY!

  7. Lisa

    Is there a way for Social Security to Share death info w/social media so they can close accounts for those that have died?

    • AKA

      And again, no.

    • Ray F.

      Hi Lisa. In accordance with our comment policy, we do not publish any personal identifiable information.

  8. Lisa

    Is there a way for SS to notify social media to discontinue accounts for the deceased?

    • AKA

      No.

      • *um

        If you are talking about FB, you can notify them and they will mark the account as deceased once they see a link to a newspaper or funeral home etc.

  9. Rose M.

    How do you notify the SSA office regarding a divorce?

    • Ray F.

      You can contact your local Social Security office directly, or you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks!

  10. Georgiana G.

    The staff at the Anchorage, Alaska social security office are mean-spirited. All of them, including the so-called supervisor. I avoid you as much as possible because even after four years, the word “Social Security Office” fills my mouth with a bad taste. Bring back the gals who operated the satellite office in Wasilla once a month. Those gals (even though from the Anchorage office), were true servants, unlike the so-called civil servants I encountered at the front desk and in the private booths of the Anchorage office.

    • AKA

      What does your opinion about the employees have to do with the price of eggs?

      • Chris

        Aka, have you seen the price of eggs in AK?!!! Regardless you are one of the rudest people I have seen respond. Did your mother teach you nothing?

        Social Security employees are just like any other employees anywhere Georgianna. Unfortunately you run into some rude ones, some who do not know the rules and regulations and then there are some who are absolutely wonderful and knowledgeable. I fully expect the knowledge to be lacking with all the budget cuts coming under this current President and his administration who have no knowledge of government laws and regs at all. Good luck to us all.

        • Colleen H.

          Amen to that, everything is going up except our social security!
          Go figure!!

Comments are closed.