SSA
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Senate Democrats want more information on SSA’s use of AI on its phone lines
A new letter sent to the SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano follows Nextgov/FCW reporting that an anti-fraud check installed on the agency’s phone lines found very little likely fraud.
SSA head wants to beef up agency tech as it sheds thousands of staff
Some experts are skeptical that technology can make up for staffing losses in critical parts of the agency.
New SSA chief praises DOGE for ‘making things better’
Frank Bisignano said he has no current plans to institute further reductions in force and hopes to use AI to make the historically sluggish Social Security disability determination processes move faster.
SSA changes phone fraud policies after finding very little fraud
The change follows reporting by Nextgov/FCW about the policy and its contributions to a slowdown in retirement claims processing.
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DOGE went looking for phone fraud at SSA — and found almost none
Since SSA installed new anti-fraud checks on claims made over the phone, only two claims out of over 110,000 were found to likely be fraudulent, according to internal documents obtained by Nextgov/FCW.
DOGE is building a ‘master database’ of sensitive information, top Oversight Democrat says
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., is calling on the Social Security Administration’s watchdog to investigate whistleblower claims that the efficiency team is compiling potentially sensitive data across several government agencies.
SSA is rolling out a new chatbot for employees
The agency has said that it intends to use technology and AI to make up for workforce cuts.
Trump ‘anti-fraud’ memo could allow SSA to stop paying some Americans’ earned benefits
The document’s publication comes just days after reports that DOGE operatives overruled career workers to falsely label thousands of immigrants as dead.
Democrats confront SSA about disruptions to constituent SSI accounts
This is the first oversight effort of Senate Democrats’ new Social Security War Room.
SSA reorg plan contemplates field office closures, contradicting public statements
A March draft of the Social Security Administration's reorganization plan proposes "consolidating" field offices while shuttling customer service to AI and other automated platforms.
Musk and DOGE make the case for their efficiency, tech work
The DOGE team made statements that have been contradicted by agencies they're working for during a Thursday night interview on FOX.
SSA tech shop to be led by another DOGE associate
Scott Coulter will replace the agency’s previous CIO, who has been moved to a senior advisor position at SSA.
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SSA head’s 3-month plan touts workforce reductions while calling for identity and AI investment
The acting commissioner at SSA said that he has “made some mistakes” and promised to learn from them in an email to staff Tuesday.
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SSA weighs axing payments to 170,000 beneficiaries
The move to cease making payments to people without Social Security numbers would imperil the benefits of thousands of immigrants’ children with disabilities.
Lawsuit outlines how DOGE pushed for access to Social Security systems and data
Democracy Forward and unions are asking courts to block DOGE’s access to the troves of personal data held at the agency.
Social Security bans news access on government equipment
Employees were told Monday that “general news” will be blocked.
Social Security shutters its civil rights and transformation offices
Among the people affected are those managing the agency’s website, a front door to services for Americans online.
SSA opens online application for core disability program
The online version of the form is limited to certain applicants.
O'Malley to step down as SSA chief this month, seeks political role
Martin O'Malley won plaudits for reinvigorating a resource-starved SSA, but will leave his post early.
SSA taps TMF to upgrade online services
The General Services Administration announced $50 million in new investments Tuesday, covering tech upgrades at the Social Security Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
