People

O'Malley to step down as SSA chief this month, seeks political role

Martin O'Malley won plaudits for reinvigorating a resource-starved SSA, but will leave his post early.

Modernization

SSA taps TMF to upgrade online services

The General Services Administration announced $50 million in new investments Tuesday, covering tech upgrades at the Social Security Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Digital Government

SSI to move core disability program application online

The initial rollout will be available to adults who have never married and are applying for Supplemental Security Income for the first time.

Digital Government

SSA has a plan, but wants more funding to get it done

The 2024 agenda’s top priorities for the remainder of the year stem from over 5,000 recommendations from employees.

Digital Government

SSA transitions online accounts to Login-dot-gov for sign in

The agency said the change will affect individuals who created “my Social Security” accounts through its website before September 18, 2021.

Digital Government

SSA launches public data hub for customer service goals

The new online portal offers a look at how the agency is doing, as its new commissioner passes his 100 day mark on the job.

Exclusive Digital Government

30,000 died in fiscal 2023 waiting for disability decisions from Social Security

SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley sat down with Nextgov/FCW recently to talk through the agency’s biggest challenges, including how it delivers disability assistance.

People

SSA taps White House tech official for CIO post

Marcela Escobar-Alava will be starting as the CIO of the Social Security Administration on Monday.

Modernization

SSA restructures tech shop to center on the CIO

Be on the lookout for a vacancy announcement for the SSA CIO position.

Digital Government

USDA hopes more data access will improve states’ SNAP delivery

The Agriculture Department is also working to help states address card skimming and other persistent problems in the SNAP program.

Digital Government

Senators seek details on SSA’s plan to modernize and simplify disability benefits applications

Three Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee asked the Social Security Administration for details on improvements to the Supplemental Security Income application.

Modernization

TMF Invests Over $40M to Improve Cybersecurity and Digital Services

The Technology Modernization Fund’s most recent investments will go to the Social Security Administration, the Treasury Department and the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Emerging Tech

GSA Working to Expand on Social Security Administration’s Digital Identity System  

There’s a solid cybersecurity argument for electronic verification, but equity can’t be neglected, observers say.

Modernization

IT Panel Makes Recommendations for Social Security’s Tech Modernization

The recommendations come as the Social Security Administration embarks on a years-long IT modernization.

Digital Government

110,000 Americans Died Waiting for Social Security Disability Benefits in Last Decade 

Americans waited an average of more than two years for benefits decisions from the government during the past decade.

Digital Government

4 Million Americans Waited Over an Hour in Line at Social Security Field Offices in 2019

Two separate Social Security Administration inspector general audits provide a detailed picture of customer experience over the past decade at the agency.

Cybersecurity

Social Security Wants a New Way to Manage Access for 330 Million Americans

The agency is considering overhauling its identity credential and access management, or ICAM, system to manage secure access for all users.