Bill Summary
The "Social Security Data Transparency Act" aims to enhance transparency in the operations of the Social Security Administration (SSA) by requiring the Commissioner to publish specific performance statistics on a publicly accessible website. Within 90 days of enactment, the SSA must provide monthly updates on various metrics, including:
1. **First Contact Resolution:** The percentage of issues resolved during the first interaction with claimants.
2. **Customer Satisfaction:** Satisfaction rates across different service channels.
3. **800 Number Metrics:** Detailed statistics about the toll-free number services, such as call volume, wait times, and service rates.
4. **Old Age and Survivors Benefits:** Data on claims processing times, approval rates, and online filing percentages.
5. **Disability Determination:** Information on processing times for disability claims, appeal outcomes, and online application rates.
6. **Hearing Information:** Metrics related to hearings for disability claims, including processing times and the number of hearings conducted.
Additionally, the SSA is required to maintain a live tracker for the 800 number to provide real-time information about call wait times and the number of callers waiting. The Act also mandates reporting on system outages affecting SSA operations. This legislation aims to improve accountability and provide claimants with better insights into SSA performance and service delivery.
Possible Impacts
The "Social Security Data Transparency Act" could affect people in several ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Accountability and Trust**: By reinstating performance statistics on a publicly accessible website, the legislation promotes transparency within the Social Security Administration (SSA). Claimants and the general public can access information about the agency's performance, such as customer satisfaction rates and average wait times. This transparency can lead to increased accountability, as the SSA must maintain or improve its performance metrics to avoid public scrutiny. Consequently, this could enhance public trust in the SSA and its services.
2. **Improved Service Delivery**: The requirement for the SSA to publish detailed performance metrics, such as first contact resolution rates and average processing times for claims, can lead to improvements in service delivery. By regularly monitoring these statistics, the SSA can identify areas where service may be lacking or where delays are occurring. This information can prompt the agency to implement changes or allocate resources more effectively, ultimately leading to a more efficient claims process and quicker access to benefits for individuals in need.
3. **Empowered Claimants**: Access to real-time data about call wait times, callback wait times, and the number of callers on hold can empower claimants when interacting with the SSA. With a live tracker available, individuals can better manage their time and expectations when seeking assistance via the SSA’s 800 number. This transparency allows claimants to make informed decisions about when to call, potentially reducing frustration and improving their overall experience with the agency. Moreover, having insight into average processing times for claims can help claimants understand the timeline for receiving their benefits, aiding in financial planning.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6367 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6367
To require the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to
reinstate certain performance statistics on a publicly accessible
website of the Social Security Administration, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 2, 2025
Ms. Salinas (for herself and Mr. Sorensen) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to
reinstate certain performance statistics on a publicly accessible
website of the Social Security Administration, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Social Security Data Transparency
Act''.
SEC. 2. REINSTATING TRANSPARENCY OF SSA OPERATIONS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, and on a monthly basis thereafter, the Commissioner of the
Social Security Administration shall publish on a publicly accessible
website of the Social Security Administration, for the most recent
month the information is available, the following information:
(1) First contact resolution.--The percentage of claimant
interactions that are resolved during the first contact with
the Social Security Administration.
(2) Customer satisfaction.--The percentage of claimants
satisfied by each service channel (such as in-person meetings,
calls using the 800 number, or any other avenue in which the
Social Security Administration assists claimants) operated by
the Social Security Administration.
(3) 800 number.--With respect to the 800 number of the
Social Security Administration, the--
(A) total customers served;
(B) average daily call volume;
(C) average call wait time;
(D) average callback wait time;
(E) average speed of answer;
(F) percentage of callers that reach a
representative;
(G) average service time;
(H) agent busy rate; and
(I) percentage of calls handled by callback.
(4) Old age and survivors benefits.--With respect to claims
for a benefit under title II that is not a disability benefit
under section 223, information measuring the--
(A) percentage of claimants who received benefits
within 2 weeks of applying;
(B) average time to receive a benefit payment from
the date an application is submitted;
(C) benefits claims approved or denied;
(D) benefits claims pending;
(E) percentage of benefit claim appointments
scheduled within 28 days of applying; and
(F) percentage of claims filed online.
(5) Disability determination.--Information related to
disability insurance benefit claims under section 223 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 423), including--
(A) the average processing time of such claims;
(B) the average time to receive a benefit payment
from the date an application is submitted;
(C) the number of initial determinations pending;
(D) the number of such claims received;
(E) the number of claims approved or denied;
(F) the percentage of appointments scheduled within
28 days of the claimant applying;
(G) the percentage of such claims filed online; and
(H) processing times and percentage of such claims
processed at the initial, reconsideration, and hearings
levels.
(6) Disability decision reconsideration.--Information
related to the processing time for appeals of denials of a
disability determination, including--
(A) the average processing time of an appeal; and
(B) the number of appeals filed and the number of
decisions of such appeals.
(7) Hearing information.--Information related to hearings
conducted after the initial decision and reconsideration of a
disability determination, including--
(A) the average time it takes for a claimant to
have a hearing;
(B) the number of hearings conducted--
(i) in person;
(ii) over the phone; or
(iii) virtually; and
(C) the number of hearings pending.
(b) Live Tracker Requirement.--With respect to the 800 number, the
Social Security Administration shall publish and maintain on a publicly
accessible website of the Administration a live tracker that displays
the--
(1) call wait time;
(2) callback wait time;
(3) number of callers on hold; and
(4) number of callers waiting for a callback.
(c) System Outages.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and on a monthly basis thereafter, the
Commissioner shall publish on a publicly accessible website of the
Social Security Administration information regarding the number of
system outages that result in Social Security Administration staff
being unable to perform their job functions.
(d) 800 Number.--In this Act, the term ``800 number'' means the
toll-free national number of the Social Security Administration, or any
successor telephone number.
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