Digital Government
SSA watchdog to audit agency’s performance metrics
Getting better data is essential to continued oversight, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told reporters Wednesday.
Digital Government
Social Security signals potential benefit disruptions this fall for those still getting paper checks
Over half a million people still get their Social Security benefits via paper checks. They’ll need a waiver by the end of September to continue to do so, SSA says.
Exclusive
Artificial Intelligence
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.
Digital Government
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.
People
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.
Digital Government
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.
Exclusive
Digital Government
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.
Digital Government
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.
Artificial Intelligence
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.
Digital Government
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.
Digital Government
Democrats confront SSA about disruptions to constituent SSI accounts
This is the first oversight effort of Senate Democrats’ new Social Security War Room.
Digital Government
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.
Digital Government
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.
People
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.
Digital Government
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.
Exclusive
Modernization
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.
People
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.
Policy
Social Security bans news access on government equipment
Employees were told Monday that “general news” will be blocked.
People
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.
Digital Government