Here are a couple of tables from the testimony of Steve Clifton, the President of the National Council of Social Security Management Associations (NCSSMA) at today's Social Security Subcommitee hearing.
Just two acronyms to explain -- FY means Fiscal Year and TSC means Teleservice Center.
I wonder if FY2009 includes the stimulus.
ReplyDeleteThat'a minor point though. I know we are saying budget cuts, but these budgets are increasing, and as far as I know, there is basically no inflation. So SSA has a bigger budget AND a smaller payroll in 2011 than in 2008. So what, exactly, is sucking up all the funds?
"So what, exactly, is sucking up all the funds?"
ReplyDeleteRents went up, contractors salaries went up, the cost of everything went up. Rents went up enough this year to wipe out the entire increase in the SSA budget and then some.
"Rents went up, contractors salaries went up, the cost of everything went up."
ReplyDeleteWith the economy being what it is, why are they paying higher rent or more to contractors? Tell them this is what we will pay, take it or leave it. Easy to spend money when it’s not yours.
If GSA calls the lessor's bluff on the lease terms and the lessor refuses to take what GSA wants to pay, then GSA has to find a new building for the field office, teleservice center, ODAR office or whatever building is at issue. That is an incredibly time-consuming process (especially because the employee unions have to be involved) and disrupts the work of the employees.
ReplyDeleteContractors (at least hearing monitors and VEs) basically set their own price and because so many are needed and they are often serving multiple offices, they have considerable leverage. Ideally, you would just choose two or three who quote the lowest prices and use them exclusively, but that is not practical with the numerous hearing sites and offices.
Also, some remote hearing sites are less desirable and there are only a few contractors willing to do there -- which means SSA has to pay what they ask.
In the small city where my fo is located, there is no alternate space available without spending money to build an entirely new facility. so, yeah, if the rent goes up, it will be paid, or the office will close, which is exactly what recently happened to another fo in this region.
ReplyDeleteSSA needs more funds for overtime. This week we have a little OT, the first since October.
ReplyDeleteI work in PC7 as a Claims Authorizer. Part of my job is to process ALJ decisions. Even after the ALJ decides the claimant is disabled, the case sits for a month before the award is processed, due to backlogs. These awards used to be input within a week.
Also, GSA contracts and leases have a tendency to go to prople/companies that are "politically connected", which raises the cost besides all the unique GSA requirements, certifying three ways that the bidder employes enough left handed people, and the involeve show of lowest bidder and competative bidding. There are costs and there are goverment costs.
ReplyDelete"SSA needs more funds for overtime. This week we have a little OT, the first since October."
ReplyDelete"I work in PC7 as a Claims Authorizer. Part of my job is to process ALJ decisions."
Need OT to pay for all those new cars on the lot. LOL