When the Covid-19 threat is over will the field offices ever fully reopen to the public or will they be on their way to being phased out?
9 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I think there will always be some offices, but the numbers will decline as we move the older generation through the system. Later generations are much more capable of maneuvering through a digital environment. Medicare has proven it can be done for years.
It's harder to keep good VHRs now. Up until five years ago the paradigm was retired SSA personnel (and one retired ALJ!) who could show compassion to claimants in waiting rooms. Now it's recent college grads who found the job online and usually move on within weeks or months. I have late/absent VHRs way too frequently.
I don't see how the FO can ever return to crowded waiting areas and face to face interviews. Saul would want that as he's old school and anti-telework, but it can never be that way again This virus may come back in the fall even worse. . Telework will have to be a priority in SSA FO. , Claimants will have to get used to takng care of business by phone or online. It's a new world..
I'm sure it's the wet dream of Saul and Grace Kim to shave FOs at least in half, but I have to wonder how daring they'd be at it.
Office closures have proven to be massively unpopular when done one at a time, attracting Congressional attention. However, one of Reagan's favorite sayings was "every crisis is an opportunity", so they could well gin up a budget crisis to justify a massive realignment.
Zero trust in our upper chain of command right now. Our FO management and ADO have been fantastic and flexible, but RO and above just don't get it.
Look at the IRS model. They closed offices on the back end, and moved many of their Taxpayer Assistance Centers to appointment only, and let their staff naturally attrit. Our local IRS office used to be bustling. Now it's abandoned, and four people work there.
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs are complicated, and that often requires in-person contact, at least in getting benefits started and for complicated post-entitlement issues. Congress could simplify both programs, but have not shown the will to do so.
9 comments:
I think there will always be some offices, but the numbers will decline as we move the older generation through the system. Later generations are much more capable of maneuvering through a digital environment. Medicare has proven it can be done for years.
Also wondering if this will be the end of VHRs in hearing offices.
We tried a pilot ending vhr's. Didn't work at all. Just took employees away from their other duties. Work piled up
Yes they tried to eliminate VHRs and did not work. Their current system works well except they are getting paid much less than before.
It's harder to keep good VHRs now. Up until five years ago the paradigm was retired SSA personnel (and one retired ALJ!) who could show compassion to claimants in waiting rooms. Now it's recent college grads who found the job online and usually move on within weeks or months. I have late/absent VHRs way too frequently.
I don't see how the FO can ever return to crowded waiting areas and face to face interviews. Saul would want that as he's old school and anti-telework, but it can never be that way again This virus may come back in the fall even worse. .
Telework will have to be a priority in SSA FO. , Claimants will have to get used to takng care of business by phone or online. It's a new world..
I'm sure it's the wet dream of Saul and Grace Kim to shave FOs at least in half, but I have to wonder how daring they'd be at it.
Office closures have proven to be massively unpopular when done one at a time, attracting Congressional attention. However, one of Reagan's favorite sayings was "every crisis is an opportunity", so they could well gin up a budget crisis to justify a massive realignment.
Zero trust in our upper chain of command right now. Our FO management and ADO have been fantastic and flexible, but RO and above just don't get it.
Look at the IRS model. They closed offices on the back end, and moved many of their Taxpayer Assistance Centers to appointment only, and let their staff naturally attrit. Our local IRS office used to be bustling. Now it's abandoned, and four people work there.
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs are complicated, and that often requires in-person contact, at least in getting benefits started and for complicated post-entitlement issues. Congress could simplify both programs, but have not shown the will to do so.
Hire motivated, educated, competent people. That will go a long way. My pool of applicants were less than qualified.
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