From
Jane Slaughter:
Social Security unionists see threats to the program from the inside,
in some ways more subtle than benefit cuts, but just as insidious over
the long run.
Jim Campana is an officer in the Government
Employees (AFGE) union representing Social Security workers in Lansing,
Michigan. He says that after President George W. Bush lost his bid to
privatize the program in 2005, “the first thing he did was destroy the
security part of Social Security. It used to be that people knew it
would be there for them. Now a lot of people have lost that confidence.”
Dana
Duggins, a vice president of AFGE Council 220, said administrators have
been on a mission “to strip away the reasons why the public rejected
privatization.”
Management is making the program less efficient
and less user-friendly, and enforcing methods that wrongly lower
benefits, while nurturing the seed of doubt that Social Security can
last.
Michael Astrue, the Social Security Administration (SSA) commissioner
appointed by Bush, went full throttle with an internet claims system.
Those seeking retirement or disability benefits are encouraged to fill
out forms online.
But with I-claims, Duggins says, “85 percent of
the time the person is disadvantaging themselves. They complete the
information based on what their neighbor told them. They’re guessing.”
The
commissioner, who will be in office until January 2013, has insisted
that employees not question information on the applications. “He says
everybody these days has their own financial advisor,” Duggins said.
“This is the elitist attitude he works from.”
I think the AFGE might have some antipathy for Michael Astrue.
"Michael Astrue, the Social Security Administration (SSA) commissioner appointed by Bush, went full throttle with an internet claims system."
ReplyDeleteI wonder what was behind the decision to have ICTUs stop taking claims transferred from the 800 number and become a WSU? Now the WSU people just sit there most of time.
Internet claims are such a waste of time. They still have to come in the office and have things explained and corrected. I don't think any time is really saved. Some of the more learned claimants can fill out the disability forms pretty well, on the Internet Disability Reports.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, it causes more harm than good in my view.
And a claimant told me they chose an attorney because it "popped up" while they were doing their internet disability report, so they thought that meant the attorney was OK by SSA. The kid was presumptive with Down Syndrome so it would have been approved regardless, with just meeting the nonmedical rules for SSI.
Internet claims are the way to go unless they are going to increase staffing. In my offic, we recontact every Internet claim filed to make sure the claims is not disadvantaged. As for it not saving time, I disagree. I can usually take a DIB about 45-50 mins unless it really messy with continued work. When I get an claim filed online, I can be done in under 30 mins, again assuming there is no messy details. We just don't have the manpower in my office to take everyone who wants to file in the office.
ReplyDeleteUsed to be when you filed RIB, the CR walked folks through the pros/cons of various retirement dates or options and most folks filing had no idea of the often subtle complexities involved in month of election. So now, most don't get MOE explained. Interestingly enough, go to an SSA HR specialist to retire, and they can walk you through the pros/cons of various dates. Guess we can do it for ourselves, but not for the taxpayers.
ReplyDeleteThe GOP plan has, for decades, to chip away at government so that the public distrusts it. It is to their credit that they move inexorably in that direction every chance they get. No bump in the road is too small. Can't get rid of the program? Fill it full of incompetents. Take advantage of compromise to take 1 piece away whenever possible. Poison the mind of the public by painting social security as failing, as untrustworthy, as incompetent. Rail against long processing times while starving the budget and making the problem worse. AFGE has a point.
ReplyDeleteIt's the narrow minded draconian thinking above that prevents us from ever moving forward as an agency. Union hardliners never see the other side of, well, anything. You're nuts if you don't think internet claims save us time. Consider that half of the claims filed in your service area are done online. OK, now take those 25 to 100 claims per week (depending on your office location) and figure out how you're going to get to them amongst the other stuff you're already doing. Now I'm not saying that the iClaim is for everyone because it's not. That's why we still offer claims on the phone and in the office. But for those of us who have done our homework and feel confident that we understand the rules we should be able to try. If you think the internet is giving folks a raw deal, just imagine what "good advice" is being pumped into the brains of others by that not so stellar CR down the row from you each day.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 8:59 PM 1/21/13
ReplyDeleteYou should post with your name as it's pretty obvious you are management material. Because how many people are harmed by that 1 dud CR screwing up MOE daily versus the internet? Because obviously the focus should be on how well some process helps the agency because that always equates to helping the citizen. Yup, future manager.
I filed for disability benefits a few years ago. Also i appealed online once but blocked once if not mistaken.
ReplyDeleteEventually an allowance was made. Online access to applications,forms and personal information should continue to progress. It's alot easier.
It's a lot easier? How do you know if you only filed once? Looks to me that you would have to have at least experiences with both to opine that one is easier.
ReplyDeleteI think he did. If you read closely, it says he "appealed online" which indicates perhaps the original application was filed wither in the office or on the phone. Maybe he thought the appeal online was easier or maybe I'm incorrect.
ReplyDeleteI'm the beneficiary who posted earlier. For the allowance period i applied completely online. Years earlier it was in person. Although
ReplyDeletemost SSA employees give a helpful attempt or professional service(excluding aljs)i prefer the online application because i do NOT enjoy other people and i can take my time(convenience)completing the information.
I stand corrected
ReplyDelete