Social Security Administration ‘No Match’ letters return in 2019

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that it was returning the practice (suspended since 2012) of issuing Employer Correction Request Notices, commonly referred to as “No-Match Letters”.  When you submit W-2 for new or returning workers this spring, if their name and social security number does not match records on file with the SSA, you will receive this letter and be asked to take corrective action.  If you receive one of these notices, please follow all the instruction as outlined.  It is important to note that while the cause for the information not matching may have immigration implications, the SSA is not an immigration authority.  The SSA addresses this directly in the “no-match letter” as follows:  

“This letter does not imply that you or your employee intentionally gave the government wrong information about the employee's name or SSN. This letter does not address your employee’s work authorization or immigration status. You should not use this letter to take any adverse action against an employee, such as laying off, suspending, firing, or discriminating against that individual, just because his or her SSN or name does not match our records. Any of those actions could, in fact, violate State or Federal law and subject you to legal consequences.”

Several members have reported receiving letters and the process they went through in responding.  If you receive a letter and have questions or concerns please email NESPA Executive Director Dominick Mondi.