Keeping the American public and Social Security’s employees informed is important to understand the challenges the agency faces and corresponding decisions the Acting Commissioner makes. To support this enhanced communication, the agency will list on this webpage select agency challenges, options presented, and Acting Commissioner’s ultimate decisions. SSA plans to update this page periodically to include notable matters for which the current Administration is solving.
Challenge:
The Department of the Treasury authorized SSA to stop collecting debts owed to SSA under the TOP during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, since the pandemic ended, SSA has not yet resumed collecting these debts.
Options:
- Take steps to resume collecting debts under the TOP.
- Continue to defer debts under the TOP.
Decision:
February 25, 2025 – Acting Commissioner Dudek approved Option 1.
Challenge:
Ensure continued use of SSA’s eCBSV service, which is an important tool permitted entities (e.g., financial institutions, service providers) can use to verify if the Social Security number and date of birth provided by a customer matches SSA’s records. SSA created eCBSV in response to Section 215 of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, (Pub. L. No. 115-174,), which directs SSA to modify or develop a database for accepting and comparing fraud protection data provided electronically by a permitted entity.
Options:
- Phase 1 –
- Reduce Operating Costs.
- Reduce Tier Fees.
- Reduce Contracting Costs.
- Phase 2 – Enhance the eCBSV “No-Match” Results.
- Phase 3 – Expand the user base by combining CBSV with eCBSV.
Decision:
March 19, 2025 – Acting Commissioner Dudek approved the 3-phase implementation approach.
Challenge:
Timely and accurate payroll information is needed to prevent improper payments to individuals whose benefits are affected by income. Receiving electronic data from payroll data providers would provide SSA with employment information necessary to administer agency programs efficiently, improve customers’ experience by reducing the burden of self-reporting wage data, and prevent improper Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments as required by the Social Security Act.
Options:
- Roll out a phased implementation plan of its PIE initiative on a smaller scale to analyze and evaluate results and, if needed, make adjustments.
- Closely monitor manual processes performed by agency employees to ensure compliance.
- Clearly communicate due process procedures to agency employees by including specific information in our training materials.
Decision:
March 19, 2025 – Acting Commissioner Dudek approved all three options.
Challenge:
Inconsistent identity assurance standards across customer service channels may expose customers’ benefit payments to fraud.
Options:
- Require customers to visit a field office to provide in-person identifying documentation when they are unable to use ID proofing online.
- Update policy and business process for online claims and phone direct deposit to immediately require ID proofing online; align systems to ensure proper policies and business processes are followed.
Decision:
March 13, 2025 - Acting Commissioner Dudek approved both options.