The Social Security Administration (SSA) collects and maintains information regarding Social Security number (SSN) applicants to administer the Social Security Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, and Special Veterans Benefits programs.  SSA discloses to other Federal agencies SSN verifications as authorized pursuant to a framework of Federal statutes, including the Privacy Act and the Social Security Act, related regulations, and sub-regulatory policies.  This regulation would clarify when a disclosure of an SSN verification under routine use authority would be compatible with the purpose for which SSA collected such information.  As a result, in conjunction with a forthcoming routine use, it will expand the circumstances under which SSA may disclose SSN verifications to Federal agencies, including Federal shared service providers. 

Specifically, the proposed change to add a third compatibility definition at 401.150(c) and forthcoming routine use would allow SSA to provide SSN verifications to assist Federal agencies with identity proofing and detection of fraud in connection with Federal government non-law enforcement related benefits or services.  The benefits or services include Federally-funded programs not currently permissible under the existing compatibility standard, such as shared identity proofing and authentication services (e.g., login.gov), loan programs (e.g., Small Business Administration loans), payment verifications (e.g., Federal grants or contracts), and educational programs.  The information to be disclosed would be limited to verification of whether the name, SSN, and date of birth combination provided by an individual is consistent with Social Security records and an indication of death, if included in SSA records.