The Social Security Administration assigned the correct single number to 99.997 percent of approximately 13.9 million newborns between January 2021 and September 2024, according to a federal audit. However, the review identified 420 infants who appeared to have received multiple Social Security numbers without the records being cross-referenced.
The problem cases create potential fraud risks. If individuals obtain multiple Social Security numbers without cross-referencing, they could later claim federal or state benefits under more than one identity. For example, someone might obtain Supplemental Security Income under one number and later receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits under another. They could also receive other federal benefits or state-administered programs like unemployment insurance using different numbers.
Under the Enumeration at Birth program, parents request Social Security numbers for their newborns on birth registration worksheets at hospitals, birthing centers, or with licensed midwives. State vital statistics bureaus then transmit the information to the Social Security Administration through secure electronic interfaces. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico participate in the program.
The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General recommended that the agency review the 420 cases and take corrective action, which may include cross-referencing records and designating additional numbers as retired. The Social Security Administration agreed to implement the recommendation.
"While SSA's accuracy at 99.997 is notable, the goal always is to prevent issuing individuals multiple SSNs through EAB," said Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit.