1. A method for execution by one or more processing modules of one or more computing devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN), the method comprises: retrieving a decode threshold number of encoded data slices of a set of encoded data slices from a first grouping of storage units of the DSN, wherein a data segment of a data object is encoded in accordance with dispersed storage error encoding parameters to produce the set of encoded data slices, wherein the dispersed storage error encoding parameters includes the decode threshold number and a width number, wherein the decode threshold number corresponds to a minimum number of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices that are needed to recover the data segment, wherein the width number corresponds to a total number of encoded data slices in the set of encoded data slices, and wherein the decode threshold number is less than or equal to one-half of the width number; and to verify that the decode threshold number of encoded data slices is of a common status level as other encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices: determining a first status level indication of the retrieved decode threshold number of encoded data slices; sending check status request messages to a second grouping of storage units of the DSN, wherein a check status request message of the check status request messages is requesting that a storage unit of the second grouping of storage units provide a status level indication of one of the other encoded data slices stored by the storage unit; receiving check status response messages, wherein a check status response message of the check status response messages includes the status level indication of the one of the other encoded data slices; processing the check response messages to produce a second status level indication; and when the second status level indication is substantially equal to the first status level indication, indicating that the decode threshold number of encoded data slices is of the common status level as the other encoded data slices.