Guide to NARA Collection
Social Security Textual Records in NARA II
Part 3: Detailed Inventory
SSA's Filing Codes
SSA
has always used a system of formal numerical codes to label its
documents as they are being filed and housed within the agency.
The numerical codes correspond to various topical categories. For
example, the numerical code 058.1 refers to material related to
the financing of the Social Security system. The presence of this
code as a box label is thus an indicator that the subject of the
material in the box involves financing issues.
This filing system is long and complex, and its usage has varied
considerably over the years. In some periods, the filing system
was used as titles on the records shipped to NARA. Sometimes, these
codes are the only available descriptive content for a box of records.
It can therefore be of vital importance to have a listing of the
codes and their topical meanings.
Be aware, however, that the filing codes in use in the early years
of the agency are not the same as those presently in use, and in
fact, the coding scheme has changed more than once over the years.
However, the following chart lists the codes in use in the early
years at SSA. Unfortunately we cannot determine precisely when the
coding scheme changed. However, these codes can still be useful
indicators of topical content when no other information is available.
SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD SUBJECT DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION (circa 1938)
(See Table 2 for a more slightly more detailed breakdown of the
categories of the decimal classification scheme. Click the links in
Table 2 for the full-detail of the complete classification system.)
| Table 1: Top-Level Headings | |
| 000 | GENERAL |
| 100 | FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING |
| 200 | PERSONNEL |
| 300 | ADMINISTRATION |
| 400 | MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH AND WELFARE |
| 500 | UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION |
| 600 | PUBLIC ASSISTANCE |
| 700 | OLD AGE INSURANCE |
| 800 | WAR EMERGENCY WELFARE SERVICE |
| Table 2: Breakdown of Major Headings of Decimal Classification Scheme | |
| 000 GENERAL | |
| 000 | General |
| 010 | Laws and Legal Matters |
| 020 | Social Security Board (powers, functions, etc.) |
| 030 | President and Congress of the United States |
| 040 | Executive Departments of the United States |
| 050 | Research and Statistics |
| 060 | Informational Service |
| 070 | (no records) |
| 080 | Societies and Associations |
| 090 | Local Affairs |
| 092 | States and Territories |
| 095 | Alphabetical File (Proper Name File) |
| 100 FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING | |
| 100 | General |
| 110 | Appropriations |
| 120 | Funds, Disbursement |
| 130 | Accounting for Funds (money) |
| 140 | Accounting for Property, Supplies, Stores, etc. |
| 150 | Claims and Accounts |
| 160 | Contracts |
| 200 PERSONNEL | |
| 200 | General |
| 210 | Entrance Into Service |
| 220 | Appointments |
| 230 | Status, Changes, Transfers Within the Board |
| 240 | Duties and Services |
| 250 | Privileges and Welfare |
| 260 | Separations |
| 270 | Titles and Grades |
| 280 | Salaries, Wages, and Allowances |
| 300 ADMINISTRATION | |
| 300 | General |
| 310 | Business Methods and Procedures |
| 320 | Organization and Administration of the Board |
| 330 | In-Service Education |
| 340 | Supplies, Equipment, and Buildings |
| 350 | (no records) |
| 360 | Travel and Transportation |
| 370 | Conferences, Conventions, and Congresses |
| 400 MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH AND WELFARE | |
| 400 | General |
| 410 | State Legislation |
| 420 | Federal-State Relations |
| 430 | Finance |
| 440 | Statistics and Studies |
| 450 | Personnel |
| 460 | State Administration |
| 470 | Child Welfare Programs |
| 480 | Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Programs |
| 500 EMPLOYMENT SECURITY | |
| 500 | General |
| 510 | State Legislation |
| 520 | Federal-State Relations |
| 530 | State Administration and Operation |
| 540 | Employment Security Statistics and Studies |
| 600 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE | |
| 600 | General |
| 610 | State Legislation |
| 620 | Federal-State Relations |
| 630 | Finance |
| 640 | Statistics and Studies |
| 650 | Personnel |
| 660 | State Administration |
| 670 | Operating Standards and Practices |
| 700 OLD-AGE AND SURVIVORS INSURANCE | |
| 700 | General |
| 710 | Contributions |
| 720 | Coverage |
| 730 | Registration |
| 740 | Wage Records |
| 750 | Benefits |
| 800 WAR EMERGENCY WELFARE SERVICES | |
| 800 | General |
| 810 | Legislation |
| 820 | Organization and Functions |
| 830 | Administration |
| 840 | Operations |
| 850 | Construction |
| 860 | Transportation |