USA Today reports that Social Security is no longer requiring that claimants using its online systems verify their identity by copying a code from a text message they receive on their cell phone. It turns out that many people don't have cell phones or have poor cell phone reception or found the new process cumbersome.
Surprise! If lowly field employees knew this would happen, why didn't the powers that be? I guess because they know nothing about the people the agency serves.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much money SSA invested into system changes to allow for the creation of the passwords, only to shut the system down after a few weeks. At least some contractor got to buy a new boat out of the deal.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of SSA's decision to cut off benefits to all of the Conn clients before any hearing. I predicted that SSA would withdraw that decision promptly, and I was right. Unfortunately, it took a couple of suicides before they did it.
ReplyDeleteThis was a completely stupid decision, and it is no surprise that it was withdrawn. Requiring everyone to have a cell phone?? Really??
The quality of SSA decision making seems to be slipping. I don't remember this many obviously bad decisions in past years.
Remember when we were suspending benefits for people who admitted having a bank account but refused direct deposit? That didn't last long. Same old, same old.
ReplyDeleteHow about denying someone because we show a different gender on their most recent social security number record? Especially when it appears to just be a type. Never used to be a problem until recently for any mismatch w/ NUMI query.
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