Social Security Administration
Thoughts on Dealing with SSA’s Customer Service Issues
Many know that the Social Security Administration field offices face staffing issues, which creates difficulties for folks who prefer on-site office visits. In the face of that problem, the agency has re-emphasized using online capabilities to conduct many relatively routine…
Social Security’s Operational Funding Shortfalls Highlighted in Appropriations Hearing
Yesterday’s hearing by the House Appropriations Committee and the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee spotlighted the impact of current Social Security Administration funding levels on the agency’s customer service capabilities. In her remarks at the…
SSA Issues Alert for “Long-Con” Scams
Fraud situations involving Social Security beneficiaries in the past have generally focused on simple telephone contacts. It seems these days that a new more elabortate kind of scam is hitting the airwaves, and their labeled “long-con” portions. As explained in…
Commissioner Weighs in on Social Security problems
In a post yesterday on newsweek.com, Social Security commissioner Martin O’Malley made a case fo prioritization of steps to ward off two major problems facing the program: the looming funding crisis and the evolving customer service crisis. Stressing that “…staffing…
Social Security and Small Business…Good Together
Social Security Administration Public Affairs Specialist Sabrina Feliciano, in a post on patch.com, outlines the slate of online services available to small business owners through the agency. Her article provides a link to the SSA.gov website where small business owners…
Staff Re-build at SSA Set to Commence
Just a few months into his Social Security Administration post, Commissioner Martin O’Malley is launching a concerted move to quickly re-build a workforce decimated by turnover and hiring freezes in recent years. Aided by a slight increase in funding, O’Malley…
Commissioner O’Malley Puts a Stake in the Ground on Telework
As he comes up to speed in his new role, Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley is traveling the country getting a feel for life in the Agency’s field offices. One of the byproducts of his ground-level tours is an assessment…
Government Pension Offset: To Repeal or Not?
Just before last Christmas, Martin O’Malley was sworn in as Commissioner of Social Security. His term will run through January 19, 2025, giving him two full years to wrestle with a lineup of troublesome matters facing this venerable program. First,…
Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision: To Repeal or Not?
Just before last Christmas, Martin O’Malley was sworn in as Commissioner of Social Security. His term will run through January 19, 2025, giving him two full years to wrestle with a lineup of troublesome matters facing this venerable program. First,…
SSA Proposes Permanent Use of Virtual Technologies for Disability Hearings
As explained in a May 19 Federal Register notice, the Social Security Administration is seeking to make the use of video and phone hearings a permanent operating procedure. An article posted on federaltimes.com notes that the agency has had favorable…