Natalie Alms
@almsnatalie.bsky.social
journalist who covers how the government's tech affects you🫵
NC native, DC resident.
Tips = [email protected] and Signal at nalms.41
https://www.nextgov.com/voices/natalie-alms/18881/?oref=ng-post-author?oref=rf-post-author
NC native, DC resident.
Tips = [email protected] and Signal at nalms.41
https://www.nextgov.com/voices/natalie-alms/18881/?oref=ng-post-author?oref=rf-post-author
Pinned
Natalie Alms
@almsnatalie.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Hi Bluesky!
I’m a reporter that covers federal agencies, especially how they deliver services like SNAP. I also cover how agencies use technology.
I’m a reporter that covers federal agencies, especially how they deliver services like SNAP. I also cover how agencies use technology.
Reposted by Natalie Alms
NEW: SSA has spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to update the occupational data used in disability adjudications.
It's a bipartisan priority that was tucked in a controversial overhaul that SSA abandoned last week -- so its now unclear when SSA will move to new data👇
It's a bipartisan priority that was tucked in a controversial overhaul that SSA abandoned last week -- so its now unclear when SSA will move to new data👇
Social Security occupational data update appears stalled after agency drops regulatory overhaul
The Social Security Administration has spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to update the occupational data used in disability adjudications. When the agency will actually move to newer data i...
www.nextgov.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
NEW: SSA has spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to update the occupational data used in disability adjudications.
It's a bipartisan priority that was tucked in a controversial overhaul that SSA abandoned last week -- so its now unclear when SSA will move to new data👇
It's a bipartisan priority that was tucked in a controversial overhaul that SSA abandoned last week -- so its now unclear when SSA will move to new data👇
NEW: SSA has spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to update the occupational data used in disability adjudications.
It's a bipartisan priority that was tucked in a controversial overhaul that SSA abandoned last week -- so its now unclear when SSA will move to new data👇
It's a bipartisan priority that was tucked in a controversial overhaul that SSA abandoned last week -- so its now unclear when SSA will move to new data👇
Social Security occupational data update appears stalled after agency drops regulatory overhaul
The Social Security Administration has spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to update the occupational data used in disability adjudications. When the agency will actually move to newer data i...
www.nextgov.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
NEW: SSA has spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to update the occupational data used in disability adjudications.
It's a bipartisan priority that was tucked in a controversial overhaul that SSA abandoned last week -- so its now unclear when SSA will move to new data👇
It's a bipartisan priority that was tucked in a controversial overhaul that SSA abandoned last week -- so its now unclear when SSA will move to new data👇
US DOGE Service says on LinkedIn: "Both the temporary org and U.S. DOGE Service (previously U.S. Digital Service) are still operational."
NEW: DOGE no longer exists as a "centralized entity," according to the head of the government’s personnel agency --- But the longstanding White House tech team Trump used to house DOGE continues to work on tech projects throughout federal agencies.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
DOGE no longer has ‘centralized leadership’ under White House tech team, personnel head says
The team that was altered to house DOGE — formerly the U.S. Digital Service — is also still doing its own technology work across agencies.
www.nextgov.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:43 PM
US DOGE Service says on LinkedIn: "Both the temporary org and U.S. DOGE Service (previously U.S. Digital Service) are still operational."
Reposted by Natalie Alms
NEW: The Trump administration is fighting efforts in court to force billionaire Elon Musk to testify in a lawsuit that accuses him of unlawfully directing the dissolution of the US Agency for International Development while he was a senior adviser to the president
buff.ly/8QZI6mg
buff.ly/8QZI6mg
www.bloomberg.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:30 PM
NEW: The Trump administration is fighting efforts in court to force billionaire Elon Musk to testify in a lawsuit that accuses him of unlawfully directing the dissolution of the US Agency for International Development while he was a senior adviser to the president
buff.ly/8QZI6mg
buff.ly/8QZI6mg
NEW: DOGE no longer exists as a "centralized entity," according to the head of the government’s personnel agency --- But the longstanding White House tech team Trump used to house DOGE continues to work on tech projects throughout federal agencies.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
DOGE no longer has ‘centralized leadership’ under White House tech team, personnel head says
The team that was altered to house DOGE — formerly the U.S. Digital Service — is also still doing its own technology work across agencies.
www.nextgov.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:53 PM
NEW: DOGE no longer exists as a "centralized entity," according to the head of the government’s personnel agency --- But the longstanding White House tech team Trump used to house DOGE continues to work on tech projects throughout federal agencies.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Reposted by Natalie Alms
NEW: Mississippians still have not received their full SNAP benefits more than a week after the government shutdown ended due to problems with a 40-year-old computer system running on COBOL.
And there is no guarantee they'll get them before Thanksgiving—or even by December.
And there is no guarantee they'll get them before Thanksgiving—or even by December.
Mississippians Still Waiting on Full SNAP Benefits
Mississippi SNAP recipients are still waiting for full payments more than a week after the government shutdown ended due to technical issues.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:07 AM
NEW: Mississippians still have not received their full SNAP benefits more than a week after the government shutdown ended due to problems with a 40-year-old computer system running on COBOL.
And there is no guarantee they'll get them before Thanksgiving—or even by December.
And there is no guarantee they'll get them before Thanksgiving—or even by December.
The head of the government's identity proofing service, called Login. gov, has left to work at Microsoft.
Whoever leads Login next could impact how millions of Americans interact with the government online.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Whoever leads Login next could impact how millions of Americans interact with the government online.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Login.gov director departs for the private sector
Whoever officially leads the government’s identity proofing service next could impact how millions of Americans interact with the government online.
www.nextgov.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:24 PM
The head of the government's identity proofing service, called Login. gov, has left to work at Microsoft.
Whoever leads Login next could impact how millions of Americans interact with the government online.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Whoever leads Login next could impact how millions of Americans interact with the government online.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
"It’s very good news for millions of Americans over 50 who were about to be robbed of their disability benefits by this horrible rule change," @martinomalley.bsky.social told me of the news that SSA is abandoning a planned regulatory overhaul of disability insurance.
NEW: The Social Security Administration is abandoning plans to promulgate rules that experts say would have resulted in thousands of people losing their disability benefits.
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
SSA abandons planned disability program overhaul expected to cut benefits for thousands
Trump administration officials informed the co-founder of a nonprofit disability advocacy group that a proposed rule — which would have updated decades-old occupational data, in addition to changing e...
www.nextgov.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"It’s very good news for millions of Americans over 50 who were about to be robbed of their disability benefits by this horrible rule change," @martinomalley.bsky.social told me of the news that SSA is abandoning a planned regulatory overhaul of disability insurance.
NEW: The Social Security Administration is abandoning plans to promulgate rules that experts say would have resulted in thousands of people losing their disability benefits.
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
SSA abandons planned disability program overhaul expected to cut benefits for thousands
Trump administration officials informed the co-founder of a nonprofit disability advocacy group that a proposed rule — which would have updated decades-old occupational data, in addition to changing e...
www.nextgov.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
NEW: The Social Security Administration is abandoning plans to promulgate rules that experts say would have resulted in thousands of people losing their disability benefits.
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
The Office of Management and Budget has restored funding to a central inspector general group
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
Trump administration resumes funding for inspectors general hub after previously blocking it
OMB’s move to restore CIGIE funding until Jan. 30 comes as the president has already fired or replaced more than 20 agency inspectors general.
www.nextgov.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:55 AM
The Office of Management and Budget has restored funding to a central inspector general group
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
They described being asked to drop cases for political reasons, to find evidence for flimsy investigations and to take positions in court they thought had no legitimate basis. They also talked about the work they and their colleagues were told to abandon.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
60 Attorneys on the Year of Chaos Inside Trump’s Justice Department (Gift Article)
Sixty former staffers describe an environment of suspicion and intimidation within the nation’s most powerful law enforcement agency.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM
They described being asked to drop cases for political reasons, to find evidence for flimsy investigations and to take positions in court they thought had no legitimate basis. They also talked about the work they and their colleagues were told to abandon.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
NEW: DHS is pushing ahead in building a searchable national citizenship system it wants to use to go through voter rolls.
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
DHS expanding citizenship system for voter verification, despite concerns about potential disenfranchisement
Twenty-six states are in line to use a revamped DHS system to check their voter rolls for non-citizens, although the network has raised concerns about privacy and accuracy — including if it could kick...
www.nextgov.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:02 PM
NEW: DHS is pushing ahead in building a searchable national citizenship system it wants to use to go through voter rolls.
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
IRS is planning to recommit to its partnership with tax prep companies to offer most Americans free options.
The program has been vastly underused, with many Americans paying companies for tax help instead.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
The program has been vastly underused, with many Americans paying companies for tax help instead.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
November 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
IRS is planning to recommit to its partnership with tax prep companies to offer most Americans free options.
The program has been vastly underused, with many Americans paying companies for tax help instead.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
The program has been vastly underused, with many Americans paying companies for tax help instead.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Trying to do my job reporting on the federal government.... not being able to access watchdog reports because their websites are dark after OMB withheld their funding
Dems on House Judiciary are maintaining hotline information for over 20 OIGs as watchdogs scramble to set up temporary websites after OMB withheld funding from a central OIG group, causing at least 15 OIG websites to go dark.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Judiciary Democrats launch watchdog website amid withheld funding from inspector general group
The lawmakers are maintaining hotline information for over 20 OIGs, as watchdogs scramble to set up temporary websites after the White House withheld funding from the Council of the Inspectors General...
www.nextgov.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Trying to do my job reporting on the federal government.... not being able to access watchdog reports because their websites are dark after OMB withheld their funding
SCOOP: Direct File is officially dead.
The IRS emailed states yesterday telling them that the free, online tax filing service won't happen next year and has no future launch date.
Republicans and tax prep companies both opposed the service.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
The IRS emailed states yesterday telling them that the free, online tax filing service won't happen next year and has no future launch date.
Republicans and tax prep companies both opposed the service.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Direct File won’t happen in 2026, IRS tells states
The free service that allowed taxpayers to file online directly with the IRS was used by hundreds of thousands of taxpayers in 2024 and 2025, who gave it high marks — although tax prep companies and R...
www.nextgov.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
SCOOP: Direct File is officially dead.
The IRS emailed states yesterday telling them that the free, online tax filing service won't happen next year and has no future launch date.
Republicans and tax prep companies both opposed the service.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
The IRS emailed states yesterday telling them that the free, online tax filing service won't happen next year and has no future launch date.
Republicans and tax prep companies both opposed the service.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
NEW: DHS moved today to allow ICE and CBP to collect biometrics from children under 14.
This is part of a proposed rule to dramatically expand the biometrics required for immigration benefits, requiring "continuous vetting" of immigrants until they're naturalized.
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
This is part of a proposed rule to dramatically expand the biometrics required for immigration benefits, requiring "continuous vetting" of immigrants until they're naturalized.
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
DHS proposes biometrics expansion for immigrants, dropping age restrictions and requiring biometrics from some US citizens
A new DHS regulatory proposal would allow CBP and ICE to collect biometrics from children under the age of 14.
www.nextgov.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:27 PM
NEW: DHS moved today to allow ICE and CBP to collect biometrics from children under 14.
This is part of a proposed rule to dramatically expand the biometrics required for immigration benefits, requiring "continuous vetting" of immigrants until they're naturalized.
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
This is part of a proposed rule to dramatically expand the biometrics required for immigration benefits, requiring "continuous vetting" of immigrants until they're naturalized.
www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/...
President Donald Trump has come under fire after he hosted a "Great Gatsby"-themed Halloween party just hours before millions of Americans lost their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/tru...
abcnews.go.com/Politics/tru...
Trump hosted 'Great Gatsby' Halloween party hours before SNAP funding lapsed
President Donald Trump has come under fire after he hosted a "Great Gatsby" themed Halloween party just hours before millions of Americans lost their SNAP benefits.
abcnews.go.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
President Donald Trump has come under fire after he hosted a "Great Gatsby"-themed Halloween party just hours before millions of Americans lost their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/tru...
abcnews.go.com/Politics/tru...
Reposted by Natalie Alms
JUST IN: Courts ordered SNAP payments to restart, and the Trump administration said Monday the food benefits would be half the normal payment. About 1 in 8 U.S. residents get an average of $187 a month per person on SNAP.
SNAP benefits will restart, but it will be half the normal payment
Courts ordered SNAP payments to restart, and the Trump administration said Monday the food benefits would be half the normal payment. About 1 in 8 U.S. residents get an average of $187 a month per person on SNAP.
n.pr
November 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM
JUST IN: Courts ordered SNAP payments to restart, and the Trump administration said Monday the food benefits would be half the normal payment. About 1 in 8 U.S. residents get an average of $187 a month per person on SNAP.
ICYMI: The Secret Service is going door-to-door physically checking for skimming devices that transnational crime rings are using to steal SNAP benefits -- because the cards used to deliver them are so old.
It's "absurd," said @repdangoldman.bsky.social. "It could be easily resolved."
It's "absurd," said @repdangoldman.bsky.social. "It could be easily resolved."
October 31, 2025 at 3:23 PM
ICYMI: The Secret Service is going door-to-door physically checking for skimming devices that transnational crime rings are using to steal SNAP benefits -- because the cards used to deliver them are so old.
It's "absurd," said @repdangoldman.bsky.social. "It could be easily resolved."
It's "absurd," said @repdangoldman.bsky.social. "It could be easily resolved."
Reposted by Natalie Alms
SNAP is in the news right now as it runs out of money.
But hundreds of thousands beneficiaries have been losing their benefits to transnational crime rings for years—because the cards used to deliver food aid are so outdated. By @almsnatalie.bsky.social.
But hundreds of thousands beneficiaries have been losing their benefits to transnational crime rings for years—because the cards used to deliver food aid are so outdated. By @almsnatalie.bsky.social.
Inside the Secret Service hunt for skimmers as outdated SNAP cards let thieves steal millions
The government still uses 1970s-era technology to deliver SNAP, leaving beneficiaries vulnerable to transnational crime rings that have taken hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits in recent year...
www.nextgov.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:02 AM
SNAP is in the news right now as it runs out of money.
But hundreds of thousands beneficiaries have been losing their benefits to transnational crime rings for years—because the cards used to deliver food aid are so outdated. By @almsnatalie.bsky.social.
But hundreds of thousands beneficiaries have been losing their benefits to transnational crime rings for years—because the cards used to deliver food aid are so outdated. By @almsnatalie.bsky.social.
SNAP is in the news right now as it runs out of money.
But 100's of thousands beneficiaries have been losing their benefits to transnational crime rings for years already --- because the cards used to deliver food aid are so outdated.
More here: www.nextgov.com/modernizatio...
But 100's of thousands beneficiaries have been losing their benefits to transnational crime rings for years already --- because the cards used to deliver food aid are so outdated.
More here: www.nextgov.com/modernizatio...
October 30, 2025 at 9:54 PM
SNAP is in the news right now as it runs out of money.
But 100's of thousands beneficiaries have been losing their benefits to transnational crime rings for years already --- because the cards used to deliver food aid are so outdated.
More here: www.nextgov.com/modernizatio...
But 100's of thousands beneficiaries have been losing their benefits to transnational crime rings for years already --- because the cards used to deliver food aid are so outdated.
More here: www.nextgov.com/modernizatio...
NEW: Last week, I did a ride along with a Secret Service operation, going door-to-door to look for skimmers used to steal SNAP benefits.
It's one of the oddest fronts against transnational crime — and one that would be greatly reduced if governments would update EBT cards.
It's one of the oddest fronts against transnational crime — and one that would be greatly reduced if governments would update EBT cards.
Inside the Secret Service hunt for skimmers as outdated SNAP cards let thieves steal millions
The government still uses 1970s-era technology to deliver SNAP, leaving beneficiaries vulnerable to transnational crime rings that have taken hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits in recent year...
www.nextgov.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:09 PM
NEW: Last week, I did a ride along with a Secret Service operation, going door-to-door to look for skimmers used to steal SNAP benefits.
It's one of the oddest fronts against transnational crime — and one that would be greatly reduced if governments would update EBT cards.
It's one of the oddest fronts against transnational crime — and one that would be greatly reduced if governments would update EBT cards.
Reposted by Natalie Alms
This is a story that got missed, about how the White House is using the shutdown as an excuse to eliminate accountability.
It has shut down Inspectors General websites, meaning that lots of reports about failures have disappeared from govt websites.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
It has shut down Inspectors General websites, meaning that lots of reports about failures have disappeared from govt websites.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
October 29, 2025 at 1:44 PM
This is a story that got missed, about how the White House is using the shutdown as an excuse to eliminate accountability.
It has shut down Inspectors General websites, meaning that lots of reports about failures have disappeared from govt websites.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
It has shut down Inspectors General websites, meaning that lots of reports about failures have disappeared from govt websites.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Source call: I'm looking for someone who has experience SNAP EBT theft to speak with me for a story on skimming. Happy to protect their identity.
Find me at [email protected] if you can help. Thanks!
Find me at [email protected] if you can help. Thanks!
October 28, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Source call: I'm looking for someone who has experience SNAP EBT theft to speak with me for a story on skimming. Happy to protect their identity.
Find me at [email protected] if you can help. Thanks!
Find me at [email protected] if you can help. Thanks!
Reposted by Natalie Alms
👀 There’s one agency left that can push back against Trump during the government shutdown.
Trump is about to pick its new leader.
Meet the Government Accountability Office, the only folks left who can take Trump to court over spending issues.
🎁 Learn more, gift link: wapo.st/48P18Rk
Trump is about to pick its new leader.
Meet the Government Accountability Office, the only folks left who can take Trump to court over spending issues.
🎁 Learn more, gift link: wapo.st/48P18Rk
October 27, 2025 at 12:39 PM
👀 There’s one agency left that can push back against Trump during the government shutdown.
Trump is about to pick its new leader.
Meet the Government Accountability Office, the only folks left who can take Trump to court over spending issues.
🎁 Learn more, gift link: wapo.st/48P18Rk
Trump is about to pick its new leader.
Meet the Government Accountability Office, the only folks left who can take Trump to court over spending issues.
🎁 Learn more, gift link: wapo.st/48P18Rk