ST. GEORGE — Social Security achieved the highest score of any federal government agency on the Center for Plain Language’s 2022 Federal Plain Language Report Card.
“Our policies and programs can sometimes be complex and difficult to explain,” according to the SSA monthly newsletter. “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.
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.
According to the report: “An excellent model to follow is the Social Security Administration’s ‘Contact Us’ page … “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 … excellent use of links, colors, fonts, sizing, bolding, bullets and imagery to highlight important information.”
“The page has clear and concise language and the reader is addressed directly. The image at the beginning with the ‘How can we help?’ sets a congenial delivery of content. The icons used in the ‘Ways to Contact Us’ assists the reader in quick identification of means available. The tone is very cordial and personable, facilitating comprehension. Presenting content in the form of questions is an easy way to follow information provided.”
In addition, the Center recognized the administration’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request page as an excellent model for other agencies. According to this web page:
“The FOIA allows members of the public to request records from Federal agencies. At the Social Security Administration (SSA), we are committed to promoting transparency and openness in government while balancing the need to protect certain information from release.”
This section of the SSA’s website addresses such topics as:
- Available records
- Need your own record or the record of another living person?
- Searching for a deceased person’s records?
- What records are generally not released?
Click here to access the 2022 Plain Language Report Card, which was released on Jan. 10.
Click here to learn more about Social Security’s plain language efforts Plain Writing page.
The Social Security regional office for Utah is based in Denver, Colorado, and can be contacted as follows:
Regional Communications Director
7th Floor, FOB
1961 Stout Street
Denver CO 80294
Phone: 303-844-1888
Fax: 833-719-0630