SSA’s Equity Action Plan 2023 Update
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: February 14, 2024
As the new Commissioner of Social Security, I am dedicated to ensuring equitable access to our programs and high-quality service for everyone seeking our help. In line with the Administration’s whole-of-government approach to deliver better outcomes for the American people, I’m pleased to share our Equity Action Plan 2023 Update.
Our equity work supports progress on our biggest customer service challenges in 2024, including long wait times on our National 800 number, processing times for disability determinations, and overpayment and underpayment inequities. I look forward to working with advocates and other stakeholders in communities across the country to deliver critical services equitably to the American people.
Our updated plan continues our work to:
- Simplify and improve access to the Supplemental Security Income program for women, families, individuals from underserved communities, and other people facing barriers.
- Provide more data by race and ethnicity to the public to further identify, monitor, and address areas where there are service inequities.
- Update our systems and Social Security Number application processes.
We also have three new focus areas in the updated plan, including:
- Ensuring language does not pose barriers to apply for benefits and access services.
- Reducing pending SSI underpayments and assessing root causes of improper payments.
- Increasing awareness of survivors benefits eligibility among people disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Visit our Equity page to download the full Equity Action Plan 2023 Update, which includes how we will measure our near and longer-term progress.
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Tags: Commissioner, General Information, People Facing Barriers, SSI, SSN, supplemental security income
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N.Cox
This legislation is an insult to all Americans. Stop discriminating hard working people and using “equity” as justification. You are crippling those who have work hard all their lives in the name of “equity even though they are race and ethnicity of every kind. Why do you people single out any Americans as if those who work are the problem. Why do you put LGBT, etc. under the category of disabled. I am sorry enough. I don’t need to know anyone’s preference and how dare you categorize certain races, gender, or ethnicity as more important than others. I am Hispanic and I choose not to allow that to be the reason I should be chosen over someone else.
Crystal S.
I rep people for disability claims. I assure you there is not any listing for LGBTQ+ in the Listing of Impairments, and those who worked for a living and paid into FICA are actually more likely to qualify than those who did not. Your ignorance and privilege are showing.
charlie t.
i agree don’t woke the social security system!!!
Laura W.
Someone is misinforming you. The goal is to HELP the hard workers to access their earned SS payments.
d
Amen!
dp
Well-said N. Cox. Thank you.
Disgruntled c.
So I take it that certain males from represented communities will still receive poor service?
Don S.
Equity demands that the Government offset of Texas retired teacher’s social security benefits be annulled. So incredibly unfair to those who left the private sector to teach because of their love of children and learning. Apparently, common sense plays no role in legislation.
Sue
Hi, Don. Thanks for reading our blog. When you receive a monthly pension from work where Social Security taxes were not taken out of your earnings or you receive your contributions in a lump sum, two laws may affect your Social Security benefits: Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Reductions are effective when you receive both your state teachers’ pension and your Social Security.Your spouse’s benefit under Social Security may be reduced by GPO. Your own Social Security benefit may be reduced based on WEP. The more years of substantial earnings you have under Social Security from your work in the private sector, the less of a reduction in your Social Security benefit due to WEP. You’ll find more information about WEP and GPO here. For questions about your situation, please call your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Pat R.
It’s not equity when Congress “borrows” (steals) 2 Trillion from the fund and does not pay it back, nor when that money is given to people who have not paid in to it. Those two reasons are why I’m being told I will only receive 78% of benefits I have EARNED after 2034. Put the money back, with interest as required by LAW and the program is “saved” – period.
Nick K.
I agree.
Jo A.
Well said.
Janice R.
I agree. Our government does not care about U.S. citizens. I am tired of being treatee unfairly.
BruceS
Yes!!!
R.G.
The only people receiving ss benefits that did not pay in are, for example, women who were stay-at-home wives. They get 50% of whatever their spouses get. In my opinion, even tho I worked and paid in for 40+ years, those stay-at-home spouses earned every dime working to care for their families.
R.G.
What they need to do is go back to the way it was funded before Reagan and Kissinger screwed over everyone at or below middle class. It used to be everyone paid in a percentage of their entire income, but R and K PUT A LIMIT on the amount of income is counted toward the social security tax.
Wealthy people only pay a percentage of the first $160,200 of Adjusted Gross Income. Do you know how much a person’s income has to be for their AGI, the amount they actually pay taxes on after all their deductions and exemptions, to be 160,200? Many many thousands more.
So the wealthiest Americans pay in 6.2% of $160,200. Which is $9,932. NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY EARN.
The millionaire and billionaire CEOs? $9,932 into social security. The millionaire and billionaire athletes and actors? $9,932. Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey and Donald Trump and Elon Musk? $9,932.
Go back to the way Social Security was designed. Make EVERYONE pay 6.2% of ALL their income. That would fully fund Social Security forever and ever and ever, the way it was meant to be.
Reaganomics killed the middle class and created the homeless crisis. Nixon screwed around with healthcare and left everyone at the mercy of the for-profit health insurance companies.
Prove me wrong.
Ellen D.
I started working when i was 15. I had some good income years and some not so good years. I waited to collect as long as i could but as an older single Mom of a college age daughter I had no choice. I rely on my monthly check. It is a lifeline for me. I wish the COL increase was more in line with raising food costs. Every time i have called SS, the cust svc rrps have been knowledgable, couteous and helpful.
Sue
Hi, Ellen. Thanks for your comments and compliment. We try hard to provide the best possible service to our customers. Your thoughts are important to us, and we’re pleased that you’ve had positive experiences. You can submit feedback by visiting our How can we help? webpage. From there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email Our Support Team” form where you can submit your compliment, complaint, or suggestion. You’ll find more information about the Cost-of-Living Adjustment here. We hope this helps.
SSGT ..
SOY UN VETERANO DESABILITADO EL SS Y EL EJERCITO , MI EX EXPOSA FUE MI TUTOR , HASTA QUE EL SIQUIATRA DE EL V.H PIDIO QUE LA DESTITULLERAN POR MAL MANEJO DEL DINERO . RECLAME MI INVERCION EN LAS PROPIEDADES ELLA ,SE QUEDO CON TODO .RECLAME EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DEL SS EN PUERTO RICO .
SU CONTESTACION FUE QUE NO TENGO DERECHO A NADA .
PORQUE EL SS LA AUTORISO A ALMINISTRARLO .
TENGO DECLARACINES RCHAD POR ELLA , QUE ELASTIC PROPIEDADES SE INVITIO MI DINERO .
DOCUMENTOS DONDE DICE QUE SU PASATIEMPO FAVORITO😁 ES SALIR DR COMPRA CON MI DINERO .
ESTOY PAGANDO UN ABOGADO PARA RECLAR LO QUE LA OFICINA DEL SS EN PUERTO RICO ME DENEGO .
GRACIAS SS DE ESTA MANERA SUS EMPLEADOS NOS AGRADECEN , Y NOS CORTAN LOS DERECHOS A LOS VRTERANOS INCAPACITADOS .
LE PIDO JUSTICIA !!!!! AL NUEVO DIRECTOR DEL SEGURO SOCIAL !!!!!!!!
Maureen W.
Speak English please.
JoniLee P.
They have what’s called: Translators online. Will translate Any language to any other language. You’re dumber than me and that’s impossible.
LOL. Just messin’ wif ya, Ma Man. God bless and have a great one.
I AM A DISABLED VETERAN OF THE SS AND THE ARMY, MY EX EX-EX-WIFE WAS MY TUTOR, UNTIL THE PSYCHIATRIST OF EL V.H ASKED TO BE DISQUALIFIED FOR MISHANDLING MONEY. I CLAIMED MY INVESTMENT IN THE PROPERTIES SHE KEPT EVERYTHING. COMPLAIN TO THE SS DEPARTMENT IN PUERTO RICO.
HIS ANSWER WAS THAT I AM NOT ENTITLED TO ANYTHING.
BECAUSE THE SS AUTHORIZED HER TO MINISTER IT.
I HAVE RCHAD DECLARATIONS FOR HER, THAT ELASTIC PROPERTIES INVITED MY MONEY.
DOCUMENTS WHERE HE SAYS HIS FAVORITE😁 HOBBY IS GOING OUT DR SHOPPING WITH MY MONEY.
I’M PAYING A LAWYER TO CLARIFY WHAT THE SS OFFICE IN PUERTO RICO DENIED ME.
THANK YOU SS IN THIS WAY YOUR EMPLOYEES THANK US, AND CUT OFF THE RIGHTS OF DISABLED VRTERANS.
I ASK FOR JUSTICE !!!! THE NEW DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SECURITY !!!!!!!
Sue
Thanks for reading our blog, Herminio. To help you conduct business with us in languages other than English, including Spanish, we provide free interpreter services. For assistance, call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. If you need service in Spanish, press 7 and wait for a Spanish-speaking representative to help you. We also offer information in Spanish at http://www.segurosocial.gov. We hope this is helpful.
Sam D.
re: “Simplify and improve access … for women, families, individuals from underserved communities, and other people facing barriers.”
Why do you NOT want to simplify and improve access for MEN? Why not simplify and improve access for all eligible?
Also, why do I have to leave my email address just to leave a comment?
Theresa B.
There was money taken out of my check to pay fir my insurance. I have had Medicaid in Ohio since September 1st, 2023 and had paperwork to prove it but I went to my local office and they didn’t even want to look at my papers I had from my Belmont County caseworker about when my Medicaid started! I am owed money and need it bc of my monthly income is so low! Do you know when I’ll get that money returned to me?
Sue
We’re sorry to hear about your situation, Theresa. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We have forwarded your comments to our colleagues in Ohio. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak with a supervisor on your next call or visit. We hope this is resolved soon.
Rick
I started working when I was 13 at night and weekends. I didn’t have to, I just wanted to have money to spend on my own. I washed dishes at a 24hr. truck stop. Anyway when I was 61 I had a severe stroke that effected my left arm and leg. I applied for disability benefits and was approved. It may have taken awhile to go through but it was and continues to be a life saver! My point is it is a great benefit for people that deserve it not those here illegally seeking to take advantage of American largesse. Anyone that hadn’t paid in should be jailed for trying to collect benefits. If we had a president that actually cared many of these issues with illegals would be cared for.
Theresa
I agree 100%!
Vicki G.
I am a widow that wasn’t able to work because of a heart condition. I have a very skimpy pay life but I collect on my husband’s pension. I couldn’t make it without his money
BONNIE D.
I have the same concerns, I started working at 15 and haven’t stopped yet. I am 73 years old. I fear that all the revamping and improvements is all about getting the illegal migrants set up. makingsure that language is not a barrier for them. Making sure the waiting on the phone is not so long. All these things sound like social security is preparing to be bombarded with illegal applicants.
Nick K.
Yup
R.G.
Did you know English is not the official language of the United States? The United States of America does not have an official language. A few states have named English as their official state language, but not our Federal government. No one is required by federal law to speak English.
Rached B.
Illegals as you called them are not allowed to collect benefits from Social Security.
BONNIE D.
I guess you haven’t heard, Biden and others want them to have it along with voting and pretty much everything there is.
BONNIE D.
By the way , they are illegale, they are breaking the law and we are supporting every one of them.
R.G.
Hey Bonnie D.? You’re wrong.
You think illegals get social security benefits? Prove it.
R. G.
You must have a ssn to receive social security payments. You must pay into social security to receive payments. Anyone claiming illegals receive social security benefits is wrong and either doesn’t know what they are talking about or is lying.
Prove me wrong.
R.G.
Hey Rick? You’re wrong. Illegals don’t get social security benefits.
Tyrone L.
I worked in the system for 15 year and all my information was deleted.
Sue
Thanks for reading our blog, Tyrone. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you have earnings missing from your record, you can provide your W-2s, pay stubs, or tax returns to your local Social Security office so we can make the correction. For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions and our How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record factsheet. If you need assistance, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.