From Workload Review of the Office of Hearings Operations’ Atlanta and New York Regions, a report by Social Security's Office of Inspector General:
The hearing offices in both regions with high average processing times (APT) had below average staffing levels, low morale, and issues with telework, claimant representatives, and the quality of the support staff’s work. Other factors, such as administrative law judge performance issues, difficulty scheduling expert witnesses, and a large number of supplemental hearings/postponements also contributed to high APT. In the New York Region, local office management issues and State filing requirements were also negative factors. In the Atlanta Region, an insufficient number of decision writers and information technology problems were negative factors.
In the New York Region, several interviewees cited their Regional Office as a negative factor that contributed to higher APT and lower productivity. The issues that interviewees cited included Regional Office micromanagement, excessive time and oversight devoted to minor issues, goals not agreeing with real capabilities, negative messaging/tone, and frequent changes implemented with little notice or input. The New York Regional Office generally agreed with our findings but explained that a few offices require closer regional level oversight for a variety of reasons, including inexperienced or under- performing managers, failure to follow established policy and procedures, and employee conduct or performance matters. Some interviewees in the Atlanta Region cited similar issues with their Regional Office, though the feedback was more mixed. ...
Leaving SSA was the smartest thing I have done in years. I do not regret it even a little bit. I am happier, healthier, no more blood pressure medication, so much less stress.
ReplyDeleteThe graphics are slightly misleading. For example, a 10% cut in support staff ration in the Atlanta region resulted in a 33% increase in processing time. The graphic makes it look like a drastic decrease resulted in only a nominal increase in processing time.
ReplyDelete9:20; I am envious but too close to retirement eligibility to easily walk away. How many years did you have in?
ReplyDeleteThis is the byproduct of the GOP’s strategy to make the people applying for SSDI give up or die by increasing the wait times. Turning on the ones who need help while cutting taxes on the wealthy. Shame.
ReplyDelete@2:25
ReplyDeleteThe exhibits presented establishes the decline began in as early as fiscal year 2012 (and historically it began far earlier). Fiscal year 2018's data is not yet released, which is the first year attributable to the current administration.
4:15PM. 2:25PM was referring to Congress! Let's be bipartisan: Congress cut SSA's operation budgets and badmouthed claimants (Rand Paul, Tom Cotten, James Lankford, Tom Coburn) and Obama let them. Obama's people then gave us "quality." This led to longer backlogs. But, the real cost has been to claimants. Being told they were "not disabled by our rules" didn't mean they could actually work. I am sure that certain diseases and syndromes have been adversely effected by "quality" due to their natures. Fibromyalgia, for example, is diagnosed by the exclusion of everything else. But, the pain it causes is just as real as what can be determined from RA in x-rays. Anyone who doesn't understand how debilitating migraines can be has never one. It's just a headache... If I had a dollar for every time I wished I was dead due to pain, I would be rich! But, apparently the politicians would rather pay Mueller than me! Where is his "proof." Comet spent millions going after Martha Stewart. What was his "proof?" The timeline didn't work for insider trading, but a jury bought that she was "illegally propping up her stock prices" by claiming she was innocent. Then there is Scooter Libby. Comfy KNEW who outed Valerie Plaime BEFORE he appointed Fitzgerald as special prosecuted. He also knew he couldn't charge the leaked, Richard Armitage, because Plaime was an analyst (not an agent), so she didn't fit the technicalities of the law. Did Fitzgerald allow that to stop him? He'll, no! He railroaded Judith Miller into testifying against Libby (the onl evidence against him). She has recanted her testimony. Back to Mueller... The statute REQUIRES naming a specific crime at the time of appointment of the special prosecutor. Therefore, this entire investigation is illegal. What am I getting at? The burden of proof is SUPPOSED to be on the government at step 5. Does anyone (other than ALJs) really believe that these alleged jobs and ignoring non-exertional limitations really meet "proof" that the claimant can work? Why did Tom Brady lose in Federal Court after the NFL's attorney admitted they "had no direct evidence" against him. The 2 of 3 judges basically ruled Goodell had the power to do whatever he wanted. That's how I see the courts and SSA today. The decision makers can basically do whatever the hell they want.
ReplyDeleteCOMEY not Comfy. Hell not he'll. Morons that invented spell check
ReplyDelete@1:23 I had 10 years in. Decided I would be divorced and dead before retirement if I didn't escape. Kept my TSP and took a small pay cut. Both I am willing to live with to be out of the pressure cooker. Now life is better, I enjoy my work, I can enjoy vacations and have had time and energy to build the hot rod I always wanted. They cannot pay me to be miserable ever again!!!!
ReplyDeleteEventually, “more with less” just become “less”.
ReplyDeleteTo 9:20 (from 1:23) Congrats! You are an inspiration for me that there is life on the other side. I have nearly 15 years in and an early out in 6 years is enticing, but my health is already failing, and both of my physicians has said I need to get out.
ReplyDelete8:38 the place is a death trap. I think the new hires are given the direct deposit paperwork and prescriptions for Wellbutrin and Zoloft along with a divorce lawyer call list.
ReplyDeleteI wish you nothing but the best, 6 years with time off for good behavior is a long time!!!