Privacy Issues and Supplemental Security Income Benefits

Citation
General Accounting Office, Privacy Issues and Supplemental Security Income Benefits (HRD- 77-110;B-164031(4)) (Nov. 15, 1977).

Overview
A November 1976 report to the Congress recommended that the Social Security Administration obtain accurate and complete data on compensation and pensions promptly and regularly from the Veterans Administration and the Railroad Retirement Board. These data are used for computing payments.

The GAO found that the use of inadequate data from these agencies had resulted in Supplemental Security Income recipients being overpaid $60 million and underpaid $4 million annually. General Counsel at all three agencies agree with GAO that the recommendations for accurate and complete data are consistent with the Privacy Act of 1974 since the disclosures are for a routine use compatible with the purpose for which the record was collected.