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This is an archival or historical document and may not reflect current policies or procedures.

2015 Open Government News Archive

SSA Releases New and Updated Data

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Social Security has more open data to share:

NEW DATA:

UPDATED DATA:

Social Security collects data on our programs and operations, and we strive to make this information as accessible as possible, while safeguarding the personal information entrusted to us. To access more of our datasets, please visit our Open Government Data page at www.ssa.gov/open/data.

If you have feedback on our data, or have ideas about what kind of data would be useful to you, please visit our Open Data Customer Feedback Process at https://ssa.ideascale.com/a/ideas/recent/campaigns/26869.

New Data Releases at SSA!

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Social Security released several datasets in the last few months, including data on Equal Access to Justice Act payments, Video Hearing Opt-Out numbers, and Processing Times for Initial Disability Cases Involving the Processing Centers. Through feedback and requests on our Open Data Customer Feedback Process, we identified and released these and several other datasets. We encourage you to visit our Open Data Customer Feedback Process page to review the data assets we already have, make requests for the kind of data you would like to see, and share your thoughts on how our data could be useful to you.

For more information on Open Data at Social Security, visit www.ssa.gov/open/data. To provide your feedback on future Open Data efforts, visit our Open Data Project Customer Feedback page at https://ssa.ideascale.com/a/ideas/recent/campaigns/26869, or email us directly at open.government@ssa.gov.

Social Security Continues to Make Progress in Open Government and Open Data

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As we approach the end of 2015, Social Security's commitment to promoting openness and transparency in the work we do is as strong as ever. Here are some updates about the work we have been doing.

On September 17, 2015, we made updates to our Open Government Plan 3.0 Implementation Chart, which tracks commitments SSA has made to promote open government practices at our agency. To see these updates, and to review the progress on all our Open Government commitments, visit our Implementation Chart page.

We have currently identified and released 808 public data sets to our public data inventory. This includes data on Equal Access to Justice Act Payments and Video Hearing (VH) Opt-Out Numbers and Rates for Hearing Requests Received FYTD 2015, among others. For access to more public datasets, visit www.ssa.gov/open/data. If you have ideas about what data you think we should make available to the public, how we can make this data easier to use, and the creative ways you plan to use it, share your ideas at our Open Data Customer Feedback page.

We will soon be launching a feedback forum focusing on our next Open Government Plan, which we plan to release in 2016. If you have ideas about how Social Security can promote transparency, participation, and collaboration in our programs and operations, we will want to hear from you! To stay informed on our Open Government and Open Data activities, visit our Open Social Security Government Portal at www.ssa.gov/open.

Social Security Partnering with Consumer Financial:
Protection Bureau For Retirement Planning Event

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Need help planning for retirement? If so, we can help. One of Social Security’s top priorities is helping you prepare for retirement. Planning your retirement early can help ensure secure and comfortable post-retirement years — yet few Americans do it.

Come join us on November 12, for the event “Helping America Plan for Retirement,” hosted by the Retirement Security Project at the Brookings Institution along with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Listen to a panel of experts give their insights on ways to improve your retirement planning as well as answer audience questions. There will also be keynote remarks given by Social Security Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin and CFPB Director Richard Cordray.

Read more about this event on our Social Security Matters blog.

Remember, you can always access our secure online resources, including applying for retirement, estimating your future retirement benefits, and finding your full retirement age at www.ssa.gov/retire.

International Open Data Charter Released

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open data charter

In order to facilitate the adoption and implementation of shared open data principles, standards, and good practices around the world, open data experts from governments, multilateral organizations, civil society, and the private sector, collaborated to develop an International Open Data Charter.

The International Open Data Charter, released on Sunday, October 11, 2015, contained six principles for the release of data:

  • Open by Default;
  • Timely and Comprehensive;
  • Accessible and Useable;
  • Comparable and Interoperable;
  • For Improved Governance and Citizen Engagement; and
  • For Inclusive Development and Innovation

For governments like ours that have already established open data initiatives, the Charter provides continuing guidance for maximizing the release of data.

For more information on the International Open Data Charter, please visit: opendatacharter.net/

Join Us For a Twitter Chat Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

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twitter chat info

On Wednesday, October 7, 2015, from 1:00-2:00pm EDT, we encourage your to participate in a Twitter Chat celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month. We are collaborating with the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) to discuss such disability hiring issues as disability inclusion, disability etiquette, and more.

To take part in this event, register here. Once you register, you can sign onto Twitter and follow hashtag #NDEAMchat, or follow the conversation using a Twubs Twitter chat room: http://twubs.com/NDEAMchat.

Open Government 3.0 Priorities
Our Latest Progress Report

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As we approach the end of Fiscal Year 2015, Social Security's commitment to promoting openness and transparency in the work we do is as strong as ever. We are proud to report progress in achieving the goals set out in our Open Government Plan 3.0. As we enter the new fiscal year, we will continue to update you on what we have done, and what we plan to do. By visiting the Open Government Plan 3.0: Plan Milestones and Completion Report page, you can view our latest progress report on action items published in our latest Open Government plan.

This progress report includes updates on:

  • New features being developed for my Social Security;
  • Our Wounded Warriors partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs;
  • The growing number of initial claims containing Health IT medical evidence;
  • The most recent National Disability Forum meeting on the topic of Childhood SSI; and
  • Engaging the public on our work to update and revise the Listing of Impairments.

WEBINAR: “Ticket to Work: You Asked. We Answer.”

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If you are a Social Security disability beneficiary and want to make more money through work, Ticket to Work can provide the support you need to transition to financial independence.

On Wednesday, August 26, at 3:00p EDT, join us for a webinar where we will answer some of your most frequently asked questions. A Ticket to Work and Work Incentives expert will be on hand to discuss topics such as:

  • Timely Progress Review
  • Continuing Disability Reviews and Ticket to Work
  • Answers to your other questions!

Register online at https://choosework.ssa.gov/wise or call 1-866-968-7842 (V) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).

Open Government 3.0 Priorities:
Our Latest Progress Report

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We remain committed to making Social Security a more transparent, participatory, and collaborative agency. As our agency makes progress in achieving the goals set out in our Open Government Plan 3.0, we will continue to update you on what we have done, and what we plan to do. By visiting the Open Government Plan 3.0: Plan Milestones and Completion Report page, you can view our latest progress report on action items published in our latest Open Government plan.

This progress report includes updates on:

  • The recently-held meeting of the National Disability Forum, which engaged stakeholders on the topic of SSI for children;
  • Recent regulations open for comment on Regulations.gov;
  • The addition of an Open Data Progress webpage;
  • And the multiple feedback opportunities provided to the public on various agency topics.

Happy 80th Anniversary, Social Security!

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80th logo

Exactly eighty years ago, on August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, creating an important beacon of hope and protection for the most vulnerable members of the American public.

In President Roosevelt’s own words:

Today, a hope of many years standing is in large part fulfilled…We have tried to frame a law which will give some measure of protection to the average citizen and to his family against the loss of a job and against poverty-ridden old age.

Join in as we celebrate 80 years of service to all Americans, by visiting our 80th anniversary webpage. On this page, you can read a special anniversary message from our Acting Commissioner, view our virtual anniversary card, find out how we are celebrating this momentous occasion all across the country, and share your stories about how Social Security has made a difference in your life and the lives of your families and friends.

Here's to many more years of service to the American people!

Open Government 3.0 Priorities:
Our Latest Progress Report

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Social Security is committed to maintaining a more transparent, participatory, and collaborative agency. As we makes progress in achieving the goals set out in our Open Government Plan 3.0, we will continue to update you on what we have done, and what we plan to do. By visiting the Open Government Plan 3.0: Plan Milestones and Completion Report page, you can view our latest progress report on action items published in our latest Open Government Plan.

This progress report includes updates on:

  • the launch of a new online tool making it easier to search through Congressional testimony; and
  • the addition of a new item (Sanctioned Representatives List) to the FOIA Library.

Tune In To Our National WISE Webinar: Free Support Services for Young Adults with Disabilities

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Join us on June 24, 2015, from 3:00pm to 4:30pm EDT, for a national Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) webinar: Free Support Services for Young Adults with Disabilities!

This national WISE webinar will present tips, tools, and resources about Social Security programs and rules that may apply to young adults with disabilities.

Register online at choosework.ssa.gov/wise or call 1-866-968-7842 (V) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).

Let Us Know What You Think About our Open Data

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Are you a data user with creativity to spare? Then put your mind where the information is, and help us turn data into action! Share your ideas about what data you think we should make available to the public, how we can make this data easier to use, and the creative ways you plan to use it.

Visit our agency Open Data page to browse the hundreds of available Social Security datasets, including information on our agency's Statistics and Surveys, Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Language Preferences, data on our Services to the Public and Case Processing Information, and many more data assets.

Tell us what you think at our Open Data Customer Engagement page! Your feedback will help us determine what we should be doing to support open and transparent access to our data assets.

Updates on our Open Data Customer Feedback

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As an agency whose mission revolves around meeting the changing needs of the public, Social Security is committed to improving our programs and services through feedback from the people we serve. Recently, we reached out to you through our ongoing Customer Feedback Process, and conducted outreach with our top data users. We asked you for your ideas on the type of data that you would like us to make available at our agency, and on how you would like to use it.

Several themes emerged from the feedback you provided, and below are some updates on those themes:

  • Modernize Communications: Enhanced our commitment to two-way, new media communications through release of our Social Security Matters blog;
  • More Online Services: Improvements made to our online appeals process;
  • Provide Online Real-Time, Field Office Wait-Times: Began development of field office wait time project; and
  • Publish Public-Facing Geospatial Mapping: Continued identification of data that can be adapted and visualized into geospatial maps.

Fortunately, our conversation is ongoing! If you have any feedback on data that we currently release, or could release, make sure to visit our Open Data Engagement page.

Social Security Releases our Vision 2025

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Social Security has been serving the American public for almost 80 years. We are proud of the services we have provided the public, and are committed to improving this customer service vision as the needs of the public change. In keeping with this commitment, we have released our Vision 2025, a guiding document that shows how we plan to accomplish and deliver three key priorities: superior customer experience, exceptional employees, and an innovative organization over the next decade and beyond.

"We must be prepared to adapt as technology and society changes at an unprecedented rate," Acting Commissioner Colvin said. "Vision 2025 is our way of making sure we keep up with these changes, and how we position ourselves to best serve the public in the future."

This vision was created with input from sources both within and outside of the agency, including our employees, labor unions, management associations, as well as the public, outside advocacy groups, and Congress. Everyone’s feedback was crucial to us creating a vision for serving the public in the next decades.

This vision highlights the choices we will offer the public in how to do business with us. However, we have restated our commitment to sustaining a field office structure that provides face-to-face service and is responsive to members of the public who need or prefer face-to-face service.

This conversation does not end here. We still want to know what you think about our Vision 2025. For more information, you can access the Social Security Vision 2025 interactive site here. To provide feedback on our Vision, visit our Vision 2025 Feedback Page or our Vision 2025 Public Engagement.

Social Security Wants to Hear From You

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Since 1935, we have been proud to provide services that have met the changing needs of the public. More than anything else, your input and perspective have helped us innovate and move the agency forward as time and technology have progressed.

As we approach our 80th anniversary, we want to be sure that we are providing the services, information, and assistance you need, in the most convenient and accessible ways. With that in mind, we want to make sure your voice is heard. We encourage you to reach out and engage with our agency, through the following venues:

  • Share your thoughts on our Vision 2025 in either of two ways:
  • Open Data Project - Share your ideas on the kind of data we should release, and how you plan to use it.
  • Regulations.gov - Comment on the proposed regulations and regulation changes.
  • Federal Register - Comment on Social Security proposed rules, regulations, and notices.
  • Open Government Mailbox - Share your ideas on how Social Security can be more open and transparent.

Your feedback is important, and can only help as we move the agency towards 2025 and beyond.

Webinar Event: Working For Yourself with Ticket to Work

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On Wednesday, April 22, at 3:00p EDT, join us for a national webinar where we will present information about special Social Security programs and rules that can help you on your path to self-employment! If you are a Social Security disability beneficiary and want to make more money through work, Ticket to Work can provide the support you need to transition to financial independence.

We will be joined by a guest speaker who will advise on:

  • Factors to consider when you are thinking about self-employment
  • Ticket to Work & Work Incentives
  • Where to find more information

For more information on this informative webinar, as well as instructions on how to register, visit choosework.ssa.gov/wise.

Social Security Honored for Continued FOIA Efforts

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The Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, gives Americans access to government information while also providing transparency to media and advocacy organizations. FOIA is essential to ensuring that Social Security, as well as all federal agencies, remain accountable to the public we serve.

SSA continues to make strides in supporting FOIA. Social Security's very own Debbie Verzi, a Supervisory Government Information Specialist in the Office of Privacy and Disclosure, was honored by the Department of Justice (DOJ) with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Lifetime Service Award at DOJ's Sunshine Week celebration, held on March 18, 2015. The Lifetime Service Award recognizes an agency FOIA professional with at least 20 years in civil service who has demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication in the administration of the FOIA throughout his/her career. We could not be more proud of Debbie and we are grateful to her for her continued work and her steadfast dedication to our FOIA program.

In addition, we have been recognized by The Center for Effective Government as a lead performer in the FOIA arena. Agencies were scored based on rules for processing information; FOIA websites that are easy to use, updated regularly and provide information people want; and speed and responsiveness in handling information requests. Top grades went to the Agriculture Department and Social Security Administration.

Click here for more information, and to read the full report.

Social Security's National Work Incentives Seminar Event Webinar: Working from Home with Ticket to Work!

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If you are a Social Security disability beneficiary and want to make more money through work, Ticket to Work can provide the support you need to transition to financial independence.

Join us on March 25, 2015, for a national Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) webinar: Working from Home with Ticket to Work! The national WISE webinar will present information about Social Security programs and rules that may apply to you.

Webinar participants will learn about the:

  • Ticket to Work & Work Incentives
  • Work from home opportunities, tips, and tools
  • Where to find more information

For more information on this informative webinar, as well as instructions on how to register, visit choosework.ssa.gov/wise.

Update on our Progress
Retrospective Review of Regulations

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We have updated progress on our Retrospective Review Progress Report. See our report with the status of our plan as of March 12th, 2015.

Sunshine Week 2015

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March 15-21, 2015 is Sunshine Week, a national initiative to promote greater transparency and openness in government. Sunshine Week seeks to enlighten and empower people to play an active role in their government at all levels, and to give them access to information that makes their lives better and their communities stronger. The week highlights the public’s right to know what its government is doing, and why.

At Social Security, we believe that open government is good government. We seek to raise awareness of the importance of transparency in government, to reaffirm the commitment of the agency to share information with the public, and to improve the public’s understanding of the work we do.

Our actions so far to improve transparency include:

  • evaluating a new FOIA solution that will automate business processes and increase transparency between the requester community and our agency;
  • improving our System of Records Notices section of our FOIA website, which now contains a notice of each system of records, related appendices that we maintain, and the actual Federal Register publication for each of the systems of records;
  • working to post additional datasets on our Proactive Disclosure webpage;
  • refreshed and published Open Government Plan 3.0 on June 2, 2014 with the agency’s commitments over the next two years. See our Progress Report at: Open Government Plan 3.0 Milestones;
  • published updates on the status of key Open Data ideas at www.ssa.gov/open/customer-feedback.html; and
  • worked with agency components to release more public data assets, we now have identified 258 data assets and are working to identify more data!

We invite you to visit our FOIA and Open Government website to learn more about our efforts to promote more openness and transparency in our work.

Open Government 3.0 Priorities:
Our Latest Progress Report

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We remain committed to making Social Security a more transparent, participatory, and collaborative agency. As our agency makes progress in achieving the goals set out in our Open Government Plan 3.0, we will continue to update you on what we have done, and what we plan to do. By visiting the Open Government Plan 3.0: Plan Milestones and Completion Report page, you can view our latest progress report on action items published in our latest Open Government plan.

This progress report includes updates on:

  • Improvements to our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) website and our Open Government portal;
  • Our Open Government Honor Awards, including the launch of our new Open Government Honor Awards page highlighting current and past honorees;
  • Updates to our flagship initiative, Message Center and the Data Exchanges initiative.

Open Government 3.0 Priorities:
Our Latest Progress Report

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In this new year, our agency continues to address priorities and complete project commitments from our third Open Government Plan. For the most recent updates on action items milestones published in our latest Open Government Plan, visit the Open Government Plan 3.0: Plan Milestones and Completion Report page, which you can access through a link in the menu above.

This progress report includes updates on:

  • the addition of 115 data assets to the Public Data Listing;
  • the launch of the SSA-1099 instant download feature in my Social Security;
  • the piloting of new talent-sharing tool SkillsConnect; and
  • updates to our data creation process.

National Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) Webinar: More Jobs for People with Disabilities: What New Regulations Can Mean for You

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WISE Webinar

Join us on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 3:00pm EST, for a special webinar, More Jobs for People with Disabilities: What New Regulations Can Mean for You. We will be presenting about Social Security programs and rules that may apply to you, including details about Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 503 is a regulation that prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against people with disabilities and requires these employers to take action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these people with disabilities.

The presentation will include information on:

  • What the changes to Section 503 mean for Social Security disability beneficiaries
  • Tips for self-identification during the application and hiring process
  • How to find and prepare for Section 503 opportunities

For more information on this informative webinar, as well as instructions on how to register, visit choosework.ssa.gov/wise.

View Current Open Government News

Other SSA News and Updates

Open Government

Open Government LogoThe Social Security Administration is committed to creating an open and transparent government through the following initiatives: