Small town newspaper runs article encouraging people to use the internet to do business with Social Security. Sounds like it is probably something written by Social Security. The Rutland, VT Herald is running this kind of article and it was written by Social Security. The interesting thing about the article is that it begins like this:
If you have recently called Social Security, you may have gotten a busy signal or been put on hold. When visiting an office you may have had to wait longer to see someone. ...
This wave [of baby boomer retirees] is generating a "tsunami" of retirement and disability applications – an expected 40 percent annual increase.
Social Security does not expect to be able to increase staff to meet the demand. More people contacting the same number of Social Security workers equals busy signals on the phone and longer waits in the office. If we cannot hire more people what else can we do to help the increasing number of people in need of our services?
Instead of pretending that it is giving good service, the agency is now touting its poor service as a reason why the public should do its Social Security business online. That is quite a change.
By the way, have Social Security's online services advanced to the point where it saves staff time for the public to file claims online?
Have a general question, e-mail it:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ssa.gov/feedback/
1. SSA is providing other alternatives of service.
ReplyDelete2. Yes, less staff time is needed for iClaims and PE services.
Standard eServices advertising pitch, as required by upper level management.
ReplyDeleteNo, it doesn't save time for the public to file online. But, the flip side is that they can do it on their own time, at their own pace.
This is one of the few things Astrue is willing to invest money into. As of yet we still haven't been able to allow citizens to request replacement SS cards online, which is supposed to lead to a major reduction in field office traffic. It's been stymied for a lot of reasons. Something about it being hard to do, and requiring managerial competence...
ReplyDeleteI can't believe anyone would even think about wanting the agency to allow replacement of social security cards online - it would be tantamount to encouraging ID theft. I work for the agency, and I see every day the problems that ID theft causes for the working public. I have actual cases on my desk now where we literally know where the ID theives are and where they are currently working full time jobs, and nobody will do anything about it to help the citizens whose ID was stolen. If it wasn't for worrying about someone getting killed over it, I'd take great pluser in telling the ID theft victims exactly where to find the people who are ruining their lives. I am also a former victim of ID theft myself and would not want such a process in place without there being a way to immediately opt out of it.
ReplyDeleteIclaims are to cover up the loss of staff by using the rationale that it is an equally good alternative to filing with a claims representative. Anyone who has seen this junk knows how false it is. Consider--iclaims do not collect military service info nor workers comp info. If someone does not review and doublecheck including claimant recontact, it goes by the wayside. And there are offices where the claims are just cleared as-as, as long as there are no critical edits.
ReplyDeleteWhat's up with all the conspiracy theories and hateful tone about Social Security doing a better job on the web? You like schlepping to the bank, or would you rather be able to do your business online? Don't understand the bad attitude I'm sensing...
ReplyDeleteYou want to file your taxes online with no one to help you--not even tax preparation software? Want to prepare your will online with no help? Want to buy or sell real-estate online with no help? Same d@mn thing, whether anyone wants to admit to it or not--has nothing to do with conspiracy theories or bad attitudes--just reality.
ReplyDeletetell that to the folks who don't have easy access to transport, or who would rather spare their own personal budget the cost of gas to go to the office or who enjoy the convenience of doing business from their home... and besides, agency staffing has grown to it's highest level in decades, which means with the combination of online tools and all the staff out there, there's more help now then ever... i don't see your point
ReplyDelete