From a Social Security press release:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced a significant expansion of resources to better meet the needs of Alaskans. This effort includes improved phone service, targeted support for remote communities, expanded virtual-service options, and new technology designed to make it easier for residents to access Social Security services. …
After reading the entire press release, I don’t know if there’s anything new in it,
From the Washington Post:
Days before consequential midterm elections, the head of the Social Security Administration blasted out an email to the public praising President Donald Trump.
“Under President Donald J. Trump, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is transforming into a model of excellence, one that meets and exceeds customer expectations for fast, accurate, and secure service,” Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano wrote to people with online Social Security accounts.
The emails were sent on Friday and Saturday, according to copies of the email reviewed by The Washington Post and posted on social media accounts. Online, some recipients complained about the email, saying it read like propaganda. …
From an IRS press release issued on Thursday:
Today, Frank J. Bisignano, a native of Brooklyn’s Old Mill Basin neighborhood, announced a donation from The Bisignano Family Fund to the Trump Accounts of children living in his hometown zip code. A gift of $250 is being made to every child aged two to eight years old residing in zip code 11234.
“Brooklyn is home for me. My life was shaped by the people, schools, and neighborhoods in Marine Park, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, and Flatlands,” said Bisignano. “This donation is an investment in the children of Brooklyn, giving them a boost in their personal wealth building journeys.” …
Nextgov/FCW reports that the Public Service Leadership Academy has awarded its Government Executive of the Year award to Brian Peltier, Head of Technology, Customer Data and Artificial Intelligence at Social Security.
…“My goal is to hide the complexity of government and make it feel simple for the person when they need us or [for] the employee serving,” Peltier said at the gala [announcing the award]. “My vision is simple: to be able to choose how you interact with us, move between channels when you need them and still get the same level of service. Maybe your aunt wants to come in her Sunday best with you all to apply for retirement. Maybe your sister was injured and needs to apply for disability from home. Neither experience is more important than the other. What matters is that we meet people where they are instead of forcing them to meet the government where [it is].” …
PolicyViz tried to find out how candidates in the 20 most hotly contested Senate races stood on proposals to solve Social Security’s funding difficulties by eliminating the cap on the FICA tax that supports Social Security. The results are enlightening. Thirteen Democrats and four independents support removing the cap while two Democrats are generally in support of raising taxes on the wealthy for this purpose but don’t endorse a specific plan. Three Republicans support eliminating the FICA cap. Only one candidate, an Republican, opposes eliminating the cap. Sixteen Republicans and two Democrats have said nothing on the issue.
I don’t know when this might come up in the Senate. Certainly not in the next two years if Republicans control the chamber but if Democrats are in charge, who knows? It looks like Republicans would prefer not to vote on it but if forced they may find it difficult to vote against it. Would Democrats try to bring it to a vote in the next Congress if they get a chance? They certainly wouldn’t mind forcing a tough vote on Republicans. Would Trump veto it if it comes to his desk?
A notice directed at those representing Social Security claimants:
Redesigned Notices for Certain Fully Favorable Disability Hearing Decisions
Date:
Dear Colleague,
We are pleased to share that we have redesigned the decision documents you and your clients will receive for certain fully favorable disability decisions at the hearing level. The redesign aims to make these decisions more concise, easier to understand, and faster to deliver.
What Is Changing
For certain fully favorable hearing decisions, you and your clients will receive a single document titled, “Decision Notice.” This concise notice will include:
- A statement that the decision is fully favorable.
- The date the claimant’s disability began.
- The reason for the finding of disability.
Your clients will also be able to access the Decision Notice through their personal mySocial Security account. The notice will explain how to request more detailed information about the decision, which will be contained in a Decisional Worksheet available in the electronic folder.
What Remains Unchanged
The Decision Notice will continue to provide information about receiving benefits, filing an appeal, and contacting us for assistance. If a fee agreement is involved, a Fee Order will be included as an enclosure. All other aspects of the process remain unchanged.
When These Changes Begin
In October, we began introducing the new Decision Notice for a limited number of fully favorable hearing decisions, and we will expand its use over time. We will continue to issue decisions using our standard Notice of Decision and Decision and Fee Order documents during this rollout as we monitor implementation.
Anybody else old enough to remember “short form decisions”? Everything old is new again.
