Social Security & You
By Brandon P. Smith, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Social Security achieved the highest score of any federal government agency on the Center for Plain Language’s 2022 Federal Plain Language Report Card.
The agency’s policies and programs can sometimes be complex and difficult to explain. That’s why we always strive to use plain language that is clear, easy to understand and useful.
The Center evaluated 21 Executive Branch agencies, including all 15 cabinet-level departments, and graded each between an A+ and F- for writing quality and organizational compliance.
In addition, the Center recognized our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request page as an excellent model for other agencies. The 2022 Plain Language Report Card was released on January 10, 2023, at centerforplainlanguage.org/2022-federal-plain-language-report-card.
To learn more about Social Security’s plain language efforts, please visit our Plain Writing page at ssa.gov/agency/plain-language.
Social Security received an A+ for organizational compliance and an A for writing quality. This is an improvement over last year’s high scores of A+ and B.
“An excellent model to follow is the Social Security Administration’s ‘Contact Us’ page, the only one to earn an A+,” the Center said in its key findings.
“The web page is clear in its intended purpose to provide information readers seek,” the Center said. “The page has clear and concise language and the reader is addressed directly,” it noted.
The Center also cited “excellent use of links, colors, fonts, sizing, bolding, bullets and imagery to highlight important information.”
Stay Informed With Social Security’s Top Five Social Media Pages
We strive to provide the public with accurate and helpful information. In addition to the resources available on our website at ssa.gov, we also regularly post useful information on our blog and on social media. We invite you to read our posts and share items of interest with your family and friends.
- You can subscribe to our blog. We post articles about programs, policies, current topics, and new online services. Read more and subscribe at blog.ssa.gov.
- You can follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/socialsecurity. You can also share Facebook posts with family and friends.
- We have many informative videos on YouTube. Our videos cover online services, applying for retirement and disability benefits, Social Security-related scams, and much more. We also offer some of our videos in Spanish. You can view and easily share our videos at youtube.com/SocialSecurity.
- You can join our many Twitter followers at twitter.com/socialsecurity. We use Twitter to announce new my Social Security features and other service or program changes.
- We’re also on Instagram. We share stories and resources that can help you and your loved ones. Check out our Instagram page at instagram.com/SocialSecurity.
Connect with us on social media to learn helpful information. Follow along and share our pages with a friend, neighbor, or loved one today. Check out all our social media channels at ssa.gov/socialmedia.
