Changes in the Social Security Administration

Photo by David HaganThere was news from the Cleveland Identification Collaborative. 

• Printouts will no longer be issued in February at local offices. Printouts were being used as a document needed to get a state identification.
• Security and budget constraints require Social Security to stop the practice of issuing printouts.
• 6 million printouts were issued last year (2012) up from the 200,000 issued in 2002
• Employers can utilize I-Verify to verify employees numbers there is also a business service offered by Social Security which allows for online verification on a fee basis
• Carmen Moreno, Regional Communications Director  for Social Security has committed to come to Cleveland to discuss the Collaborative concerns and work toward resolutions, and social service representatives will meet with the Director
• On transition basis the printouts will be issued through March of 2014

Here is the press release from the Social Security Administration:

As of February 2014, the Social Security Administration will no longer offer Social Security number (SSN) printouts and benefit verification information in our field offices.  However, to ensure a smooth transition, we will continue providing these services if requested until April 2014.  We are making these changes to meet the increasing demands for our services at the same time that our agency budget has been significantly cut by over $1B in each of the last three years.  During this same time period we have invested in technology that offers more convenient, cost-effective, and secure options for our customers to obtain certain services without visiting a local office.

Because the SSN printout is not an official document with security features, and is easily duplicated, misused, shared illegally, or counterfeited, eliminating it helps prevent fraud.  Employers, departments of motor vehicles, and other entities requiring SSN verification can obtain this information in real time or overnight using online government services such as E-Verify and Social Security’s Business Services Online.  Beneficiaries and recipients needing a benefit verification letter can obtain one immediately by registering for a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount , or through the mail within 5–7 days by calling our national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.

I appreciate your support for this effort as we work to provide the best possible service to the American people.  For future updates and news visit www.socialsecurity.gov/thirdparty .

The State is going to have to change their procedures to reflect that print outs are not available.  The State has issues with federal Real ID provisions as well that need to be resolved in 2014. 

Brian Davis

Posts reflect the opinion of those who sign the entry