SSA needs to enhance its data verification systems, watchdog finds
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ByChristian Robles,
Technology Reporter, Nextgov/FCW
September 8, 2026 04:30 PM ET
Improving matches between agency and external data could reduce improper payments, inaccurate records and manual work for federal employees the agency’s inspector general found.
The Social Security Administration could improve the administration of its programs and increase verified matches between external data and internal records by updating its verification systems for Numident, “a database that stores personally identifiable information for all individuals assigned a Social Security number,” the agency’s watchdog recently found.
The Office of the Inspector General offered SSA two recommendations for improving the data-matching systems: create processes for agency components to work on improving the Numident verifications systems’ matching criteria and conduct periodic risk assessments. The agency accepted the recommendations.
“Enhancing these systems will not only improve accuracy — it will reduce manual workloads, strengthen...
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