Social Security Evidence Act Information

On January 14, 2019, the President signed H.R. 4174, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, which emphasizes collaboration and coordination to advance data and evidence-building functions in the Federal Government. The “Evidence Act” requires agencies to develop evidence-based policy and evaluation plans and designate Evaluation Officers, Statistical Officials and Chief Data Officers to support and implement Federal evidence-building activities, open government data, and confidential information protection and statistical efficiency.

Evidence Act Officials

Evidence Act Documents

Capacity Assessment

The Capacity Assessment provides a baseline the agency will use to measure improvements to the coverage, quality, methods, effectiveness, and independence of our evaluation, research, statistics, and data analysis.

FYs 2022-2026 Capacity Assessment

Evaluation Plan

The Annual Evaluation Plan describes the significant evaluation and evidence building activities planned. It does not describe the entire set of activities the agency will conduct, rather it describes the most significant activities that will be focused on for the year. Significant activities are items required by law or are aligned with goals in the Agency Strategic Plan.

FY 2026 Evaluation Plan

Open Data Plan

The Open Data Plan satisfies requirements in OMB M-25-05 regarding public data asset dissemination. Pursuant to the Evidence Act, SSA is committed to improving the breadth and depth of our Open Data Catalog to make SSA data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. SSA will use this plan to execute ongoing and out-year activities for Open Data.

Open Data Plan

Resources