Social Security Increases Transparency and Accountability – Shares More Information Online
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 26, 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today several new initiatives and resources to promote greater transparency and accountability.
“President Trump has been clear that good government must serve the People. This begins with being transparent in how its government makes decisions and operates as good stewards of the resources entrusted to it,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security.
“With this guiding principle in mind, Social Security is taking several important steps to increase transparency and accountability in order to help others understand our agency’s work and the complexities we navigate.”
What to Know about Proving Your Identity: SSA recently announced it is strengthening identity proofing requirements for people who do not use a personal my Social Security account to apply for cash benefits or to change direct deposit information for benefits. To help the public understand the new policy, SSA today published a new webpage, What to Know about Proving Your Identity | SSA.
Weekly Operational Report Meetings: Acting Commissioner Dudek meets with his senior leadership team throughout the week to tackle a range of challenges facing the agency. During the Weekly Operational Report (WOR) meeting, leaders focus on specific topics, the options presented to the acting commissioner, and the resulting decisions made during these meetings. Beginning March 14, 2025, each WOR is recorded and published to SSA’s YouTube channel. The WOR Playlist is available here: SSA Weekly Operational Report Meetings
Agency Actions: Acting Commissioner Dudek also published online a summary of select agency challenges, options presented, and the Acting Commissioner’s ultimate decisions. SSA plans to update this page periodically to include notable matters the current Administration is solving. Agency Actions | SSA
National 800 Number Wait Times: The American people do not receive the prompt customer service they deserve when calling the agency’s 800 number. Despite the knowledge, dedication, and experience of SSA’s telephone representatives, customers wait too long to speak with a representative. People deserve to know the wait time challenges they will face if unable to use the agency’s secure and convenient online services. Acting Commissioner Dudek is increasing the level of detail shared with the public to provide an honest and transparent view of wait times. Social Security Performance | SSA and Contact Social Security By Phone
Efficiencies and Cost Avoidance: SSA works closely with the General Services Administration to identify unused and underutilized office space. SSA published its Efficiencies and Cost Avoidance webpage that lists soft-term lease terminations, including an explanation for each location and whether any change affects the public or not. For nearly all locations, the space being terminated is only a small room within the larger Social Security office location.
Workforce Update: SSA identified opportunities to optimize its workforce by offering voluntary opportunities to depart the agency or move to a frontline customer service position. The Workforce Update | News | SSA webpage briefly explains each voluntary option and how many employees accepted that option.
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Tags: Commissioner, General Information, my Social Security account
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James W.
I wish I could get a little bit more on my check each month I get just enough to live from month to month I don’t even have enough money to buy my little grandchildren stuff for Christmas
Daniel d.
Daniel d Mitchell is the poor people like me ever going to get some help I live on 900.00 and something a month iam a widow iam struggling every month
MARIANNE
Daniel is there a widows fund you can qualify for in your state?
Daniel d.
Daniel d Mitchell is the poor people like me ever going to get some help
Chris
For some reason I don’t believe you Elon. I hope I’m wrong. I really really hope I’m wrong.
Karen C.
in 1986 and 1987 I worked full time for the Los Angeles Dept of Mental Health and did not pay ss. Am I eligible for the fairness act.
C.B.
Hi, Karen. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Only people who receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security may see benefit increases. Most state and local public employees – about 72% – work in Social Security-covered employment where they pay Social Security taxes. Therefore, their benefits have not been reduced by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These individuals will not receive a benefit increase due to the new law. If you had a non-covered pension from work, you may receive back benefits and an increase on your own Social Security benefit. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Virginia
With the new clawback going automatically back up to new overpayments. Does that include any overpayments that were made in prior to March 27th but not discovered until After the dead line? For example over payment overpaid last year or the year befor and SSA just figured it out?
MARIANNE
Transparency is only a threat when there is weakness. WE ALL benefit from accountability and reduction in waste and fraud. WE are fortunate DOGE is on task and impartial.
Darlene O.
For full transparency please do away with the instructions called “sensitive” and post all on website in POMS.
A a.
Is the monthly benifit retiree going to increase ?
T.Y.
Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. People who receive both a pension based on work not covered by Social Security and a Social Security benefit (retirement, spouse, disability, or survivor) may receive an increase. Please visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage to learn when you can expect retroactive benefits and an increase in your monthly benefit amount. We hope this helps
Joe
So far, I have left over 15 messages at Social Security Disability Office with the number that they provided me and I have never received a return call. I’m not sure of what’s going on but it is extremely frustrating not to get a call back after leaving these many messages. Letting go the large number of people may have been the cause or they just don’t return calls!